BEHLA SCHMIDT/THE CREIGHTONIAN
The Grove offers a variety of clean dining options, including acai bowls, salads, and avocado toast. They also offer cold-pressed juices, coffee, customizable smoothies, and a variety of teas, including matcha. Through their business efforts, they support local growers.
Like any other busy city, Omaha is no exception to the plethora of giddy entrepreneurs with new business ideas or existing companies who seek to expand their reach to the public. Though such endeavors often result in seemingly endless construction projects that disrupt our normal commutes and other daily activities, they foster civil development and provide exciting opportunities for local engagement and enrichment. Through various social and recreational experiences, individuals can pursue their hobbies or new interests, allowing them to form meaningful local connections and establish a sense of belonging in the community. Diversity is also a frequent byproduct of these interactions, contributing to a more compassionate and knowledgeable society.
Following its creation in the early 1970s by Harlan Noddle, Noddle Companies quickly became a dominant force in shaping the Omaha cityscape through its management of various commercial real estate and economic developments. Today, the firm is known as one of the largest developers in the Midwest, implementing over 150 different enterprises in 18 states, as well as a key business leader in the local metropolitan area. Over the past several years, Noddle Companies has overseen notable projects, including the First National Bank Tower, the One Pacific Place shopping center and the Gallup University Riverfront Campus, creating reputable areas for people to live and work.
One of their ventures has brought housing, employment and entertainment to Omaha, attracting visitors and locals alike. That venture is Aksarben Village. Located on 67th and Center Street, Aksarben Village features a wide variety of apartment living and retail options, as well as large open spaces such as Stinson Park and Aksarben Cinema that regularly host live concerts, open-air markets and other special events. With these walkable attractions, patrons are sure to find a fun activity to occupy their afternoon or means to unwind for the evening.
Prior to its modernization, the Aksarben area was home to a grand coliseum that was utilized as a horse-racing and entertainment venue, hosting eminent events like the Aksarben Stockshow and Rodeo and the Aksarben Ball. In 2005, however, plans were revealed to turn the land into a pedestrian-friendly development after the racetrack was outcompeted by neighboring casinos in Iowa. The following year, construction began, with the first businesses opening their doors two years later in 2008. As a nod to its history, many businesses were named in reference to the horse track, as well as the other previous historical factors.
In addition to the free-standing restaurants in the district, like Oklahoma Joe’s Bar-B-Cue, Ponzu Sushi and Grill and Rotisserie Urban Chicken, there is a 7,000-square-foot building block, known as Inner Rail Food Hall, that’s dedicated to a variety of culinary stalls, each offering a particular ambiance, which helps create an inviting atmosphere for social collaboration. From businesses such as All American Burger, Papi’s Mexican Grill and Piato Modern Mediterranean there are countless enticing possibilities for all the foodies looking to satisfy a particular craving. The set-up of the area also has combined indoor and outdoor seating, allowing patrons to sit and converse as desired, while enjoying a delicious meal.
More recently, Inner Rail welcomed a new business into the fold: The Grove. The café already has multiple locations in the city, including one on Farnam Street and another on Chicago Street in Elkhorn, but opened a third venue in Aksarben Village about a month ago. According to their website, The Grove is a “vibrant health-forward café and juicery connecting our communities to fresh, plant-based food using sustainable practices and supporting local growers.”
While the menu is primarily composed of wellness beverages, like coffees, smoothies and teas, and healthy eats, like salads, acai bowls and different renditions of avocado toast, it features a custom smoothie bar that allows customers to concoct their own drink from specific ingredients. They also have a section of coolers that is dedicated to cold-pressed juices, tonics and wellness shots that are packed with vitamins to boost one’s health. As of March 24, they have a seasonal spring menu that is Italian inspired, boasting crisp citrus juices, coconut sorbet and other yummy flavors like chocolate, strawberry and kiwi-mango.
As a fellow coffee-lover and health enthusiast, it seemed fitting to venture over to Aksarben Village to critique their goods. Upon arriving, the place was bustling with activity and liveliness, with nearly all the indoor and outdoor seating filled to capacity. After some deliberation, I decided to order a mix of their most popular items: cold brew, matcha and an acai bowl.
I initially had doubts regarding the coffee, as their business is mainly centered on juices and smoothies, but was pleasantly surprised by its quality; its bitterness was perfectly matched by the sweetness from the agave. My only complaint was that it lacked cold foam, which, in my opinion, is an essential part of any coffee-based beverage.
The matcha was also quite refreshing, but lacked some flavor, as it was overpowered by milk and sweetener. However, one unique aspect of both drinks was that the ice cubes were shaped like perfect spheres, which is not something that I’ve encountered before. This added a creative touch, contributing to the overall aesthetic and artistry of the business.
The acai bowl was hands-down the highlight of the experience; packed with acai and goji berries, and topped with bananas, chia seeds, coconut, pumpkin seeds and peanut butter drizzle. The decadent creation was beyond fulfilling. The flavors meshed beautifully and complemented one another in an ideal fashion, serving as a tasty brunch meal. In contrast, I thought that the topping to acai ratio was a little disproportionate, with the garnishing slightly overpowering the berry base. However, the freshness of each component and large portion size made it worth the price, which was around fourteen dollars.
Overall, I was impressed by The Grove and its products and would recommend it to anyone seeking a new cozy café or brunch spot. As for the caffeine lovers, although this may not seem like your typical location for a daily coffee, it’s worth the try and may be your new favorite place. Whether you’re a wellness fanatic or not, businesses that prioritize fresh and unprocessed foods are worth noting and deserve proper recognition.