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ISSUE 04 | SUMMER 2022 NEBRASKA BALLOON & WINE FESTIVAL | ONYX CONCIERGE | LOCAL EATS | CLIENT FEATURE

DESIGNER: BETH SET TLES, A L L IED MEMBER A SID

major kitchen area remodel gave this Omaha metro home’s main level a whole new look. Meeting years ago through their husbands, our clients and professional interior designer Beth Settles, Allied Member ASID with Interiors Joan and Associates, worked together to expand the footprint of the kitchen. The goal was to renovate the kitchen, allowing the floor plan to accommodate more cabinetry, storage and a larger island.

In order to gain some square footage in the kitchen space, the fireplace in the adjacent great room was removed. “We borrowed two feet from the great room, and that small adjustment made a huge impact on the layout possibilities in the kitchen. It allowed us to achieve space for more usable cabinetry, and a larger island,” said Settles. The challenge of a renovation creates opportunity for truly creative design solutions, and Settles finds the drastic difference between a “Before and After” so gratifying.

INTERIORSBYJOAN.COM

While the renovation wasn’t contained to the kitchen, many design details combine to give that space a truly unique look. A barrel ceiling crafted of Old Chicago brick immediately sets the space apart. Sapphire blue cabinetry, honed quartzite countertops, and an accent marble tile detail on the backsplash combine effortlessly under the statement pendant lights. Other notable design elements in the home include: natural ledger stone on the fireplace, truly unique lighting fixtures, stunning artwork, coffered ceilings with inset detailing, and gorgeous wall coverings. Our clients’ appreciation for design, and the collaboration of designer, contractor, and architect, resulted in the achievement of their dreams. Having the ability to stay in a neighborhood they love and create a home that looks and lives the way they desired by undergoing a renovation rather than a new build, was a dream come true.

402.330.0685 | LINDEN MARKET, 13130 W. DODGE RD., OMAHA, NE 68154 402.488.2600 | 4131 PIONEER WOODS DRIVE, LINCOLN, NE 68506

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ISSUE ISSUE 0X04| SUMMER | SUMMER 20XX 2022

06 06 XXXXXXXX ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT XXXXXXXXXXX JAKE KOCH

08 08 XXXXXXXX CLIENT SPOTLIGHT XXXXXXXXXXX RUSSELL SINGLETON

1010 XXXXXXXX RESTAURANT XXXXXXXXXXX eCREAMERY

1212 XXXXXXXX ENTERTAINMENT XXXXXXXXXXX THE NEBRASKA BALLOON & WINE FESTIVAL

1414 XXXXXXXX ROAD TRIP XXXXXXXXXXX EUGENE T. MAHONEY STATE PARK

1818 XXXXXXXX FEATURE XXXXXXXXXXX VICTORY LANE

26 26 XXXXXXXX FEATURE XXXXXXXXXXX CONCIERGE SERVICE

28 28 XXXXXXXX FEATURE XXXXXXXXXXX LOST RAIL

Publisher Publisher Todd Todd Lemke Lemke

Managing Managing Editor Editor Daisy Daisy Hutzell-Rodman Hutzell-Rodman

Graphic Graphic Designer Designer Derek Derek JoyJoy

Associate Associate Publisher Publisher BillBill Sitzmann Sitzmann

AdAd Sales Sales GilGil Cohen Cohen gil@omahapublications.com gil@omahapublications.com

Accounting/ Accounting/ Operations Operations Manager Manager Kyle Kyle Fisher Fisher

Contributing Contributing Editor Editor Tom Tom Coleman, Coleman, ONYX ONYX Published by Omaha Publications. Omaha Magazine, LTD. is a publishing company that prints six regular publications created in-house. In addition, they publish the annual Best of Omaha® and Best of B2B® contests, as well as Faces of Omaha Omaha andand custom custom projects. projects. Subscribe Subscribe online online at omahamagazine.com/pages/subscribe. at omahamagazine.com/pages/subscribe. Omahamagazine.com Omahamagazine.com | 402.884.2000 | 402.884.2000

ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT

LEADING, MENTORING, TRAVELING Jake Koch

Story by Kara Schweiss // Photography by Bill Sitzmann

ake Koch readily admits that before he started his automotive sales career in 2004, he associated the sector with an old hard-sell stereotype perpetuated by dated comedies and stale jokes. And, as he quickly found out, “It’s not like that at all,” he said. A family friend thought the outgoing young man would be a good fit for a business that demands great people skills and the ability to absorb and share a lot of information from the features and history of current inventory and ownership benefits to the sales/financing process and follow-up services. As ONYX Automotive general sales manager for BMW, Mini, and preowned, Koch said he has pride in the brands he represents and the products the dealership sells. “I have been with ONYX for a little over three years. I love meeting new people; different folks come into the dealership on a daily basis,” he said. “But even more than that, I love developing the relationships with customers and clients.” After 18 years in automotive sales, which has “gone pretty darn fast,” Koch said, he sees a good amount of repeat business and referrals influenced by others’ positive experiences. It’s a testament to customer satisfaction, he explained. “Our customers are good people and you want to take care of them,” he said. “The people we work with here, a lot of them are business owners themselves, and are incredibly easy to deal with. They have their expectations in order, they have what they want in order. At that point it’s on us to make sure we take care of the client the best that we can and are completely transparent with the information we give them…If you treat people well and take care of them, they will be loyal.” What does Koch like best about his ONYX Automotive career? “Leadership, mentorship, teamwork, and the loyal client base I’ve built,” he said.

“I HAVE BEEN WITH ONYX FOR A LITTLE OVER THREE YEARS. I LOVE MEETING NEW PEOPLE; DIFFERENT FOLKS COME INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON A DAILY BASIS, BUT EVEN MORE THAN THAT, I LOVE DEVELOPING THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS.” JAKE KOCH Koch’s professional activities include membership in the Omaha Executive Association. As for his life outside of the dealership, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native is quick to share that he’s a lifelong fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, which goes well with his affinity for travel. “I’ve seen them play in three different cities. I love visiting ballparks in different cities, especially the minor leagues. There’s something pure and special about a ball park on a cool summer night,” he said. Koch lives in the Gretna area with his wife and three sons, who are in elementary and middle school and busy in numerous activities including team sports that Koch enjoys coaching. The oldest son, who turns 14 soon, is already dreaming about his first car. “He says, ‘So when I turn 16, which BMW am I getting?’” Koch said with a laugh. It’s a tall order for a teen’s everyday ride, he said, but Koch likes that his son already has good taste influenced by Dad’s profession and some early exposure to what Koch calls the best vehicles available on the market. “Keep wishing, buddy.” Visit onyxautomotive.com for more information.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

A PASSION FOR BMWS

Russell Singleton Finds His Vehicular Niche Story by Kara Schweiss// Photography by Bill Sitzmann

nthusiast” may not be a strong enough word to describe customer Russell Singleton’s affinity for BMW, and ONYX Automotive General Sales Manager Jake Koch may not be entirely joking when he suggests Singleton knows as much about the brand as anyone on the sales floor. “Jake and I laugh about that a little bit, that I’ve been a BMW customer for 16 years and most of the time when I go in I’m educating their sales staff as opposed to the other way around,” Singleton said. “I’ve been a BMW customer exclusively since 2006, and while I’ve considered other brands, I’ve repeatedly found that BMW’s blend of design, technology, handling, build quality, and dealer support match what I’m looking for in a vehicle manufacturer.” Today he owns a 2020 840i Gran Coupe, but the U.K. native fondly recalls the first of his BMWs, a (European) 1 Series 120d M Sport he purchased in his 20s. “I’d always wanted to buy a BMW, and at that time that 1 Series was the entry into the BMW product line. It was the smallest car they sold. It fit with my lifestyle, and, frankly, my budget then,” he said. “Once I bought a BMW, I’ve never owned another [make of] car.” The 840i Gran Coupe he drives today has numerous attributes both practical and aesthetic, Singleton said. “I’m a big fan of the Driving Assistance Professional package that includes both Active Driving Assistant Pro and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. Together with the Assisted Driving View in the instrument cluster, it gives me great confidence in knowing that the car is aware of its surroundings and other vehicles. Automated Lane Keeping and Lane Change features continue to

improve with successive software updates,” he said. “And I would say, apart from the overall exterior appearance of the 8 Series Gran Coupe—which, in my opinion, is one of the best looking BMWs currently available—adding Swarovski Crystal controls and the Alcantara headliner make the interior of the cabin extra special.” He added, with a rueful laugh, “Every time I buy a BMW, I buy more options than I bought last time. When you buy your next one, you can’t do without what you had last time.” Singleton said he likes the image his vehicle projects. “To me, owning a BMW is the embodiment of someone who cares about vehicle build quality, state-of-the-art technology, superior handling, efficiency, and excellent human-to-vehicle interfaces,” he explained. The people of ONYX Automotive “strive to provide a first-class buyer’s and owner’s experience,” Singleton said. “The individually orchestrated aftersales support/service process and their expertise is, for me, part of being a BMW owner.” Singleton’s wife is now a BMW convert. “She, similarly, really appreciates them now,” he said. “Having three in a row is a good indication of that.” Singleton said he always likes seeing what’s ahead for BMW. He and his wife are already lining up test drives ahead of a 2023 lease expiration. “I always have my eye on the BMW product line,” he said. Visit onyxautomotive.com for more information.

“TO ME, OWNING A BMW IS THE EMBODIMENT OF SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT VEHICLE BUILD QUALITY, STATE-OF- THE-ART TECHNOLOGY, SUPERIOR HANDLING, EFFICIENCY, AND EXCELLENT HUMAN-TO-VEHICLE INTERFACES.” RUSSELL SINGLETON

RESTAURANT

VEGAN CHOICES, UNIQUE FLAVORS

eCreamery Offers Taste of Summer Story by Kara Schweiss// Photography by Bill Sitzmann

t’s a lot of fun running a business that virtually everyone loves, said eCreamery cofounder Becky App.

“We like to say that ‘eCreamery lets your ice cream dreams come true,’” she explained. “We realize everyone has an emotional connection to ice cream, a special memory somehow affiliated with [it]. That tends to fall across all walks of life, all ages, all socioeconomic backgrounds, all cultures, all industries… you can talk about ice cream with anyone and it brings people together.” The locally owned business has served ice cream, gelato, and sorbet at a parlor at 50th Street and Underwood Avenue in Dundee since opening in 2007. In 2019, eCreamery merged with Carson’s Cookie Fix, adding cookies and ice cream cookie sandwiches to eCreamery’s offerings and establishing a second location at 114th and Dodge streets in Miracle Hills Square. Everyone can find something to enjoy at eCreamery, App said. Lactose intolerant? No problem; dairy-free sorbet varieties are available. Averse to ingesting foods made with animalderived ingredients? Vegan ice cream is on the menu.

“When you come into our parlor, we want everyone to feel welcome,” App said. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to come into an ice cream store and not be able to have anything; that would be terrible.” Visitors can expect a different assortment of flavors every visit, since varieties change daily, App said. “It’s a really dense ice cream. We use premium ingredients and we locally source as much as we can.” Variations of popular standards—vanilla, chocolate, strawberry—are always available, but there are always fun and unexpected flavors, too. “All of our flavors are made here on site, at our parlor, and we give our ice cream artists the creativity to experiment every day,” App said. “We did a lavender and a basil when the Dundee community garden had a surplus of fresh herbs. People either loved it or hated it. We used to do custom flavors online, and Harvard Business School asked us for a buttered lobster flavor.” More successful was Mocha Oreo Cheesecake. “That was really an experiment,” App said. “Now people rave when that comes in.”

“IT’S THAT CONNECTION THROUGH REALLY GOOD FOOD AND MEMORY THAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL.THAT’S 90% OF OUR BUSINESS NOW. WE SHIP ALL OVER.” APP eCreamery’s current online business focuses on personalized gifts. Givers can choose a meaningful name for each pint, and a more recent customization is adding a photo to the packaging. “It’s that connection through really good food and memory that makes it so special,” App said. “That’s 90% of our business now. We ship all over.” Locals are always welcome to stop in. “A trip to an ice cream parlor is something the whole family can do together. You can bring your 2-year-old niece or nephew, or you can bring Grandma and Grandpa. It’s a time to go out, relax, get a scoop, and catch up and be together,” App said. “It’s meant to be a fun activity that just about everyone will enjoy.” Visit ecreamery.com for more information.

ENTERTAINMENT

MAJESTIC BALLOONS PAIRED WITH FRUITY FUN BY THE GLASS

The Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival Story by Linda Persigehl // Photography Provided

“THIS IS ONYX’S SECOND YEAR OF SPONSORSHIP. I THINK THEY SAW US AS A GOOD FIT. THE LUXURY VEHICLES THEY REPRESENT EMBODY EXCELLENCE, AND THE CROSS SECTION OF PEOPLE THAT ATTEND ARE THOSE THAT ASPIRE TO BE THE BEST.” MIKE MANCUSO

rilliant hot-air balloons elegantly drift away into calm Midwestern skies, then skillfully land under the watchful eyes of a thousand mesmerized fans. Regional vintners serve tastings of crisp, fruity whites; blushes; and light-bodied reds to oenophiles and wine novices alike. There’s a lot to love about the Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival, which is now in its 16th year. The annual summer event, this year being held Aug. 19 and 20 at Ta-HaZouka Park in Elkhorn, keeps growing more popular and expanding its offerings. Included in this year’s festivities are a beer garden and tasting booths sponsored by regional breweries; a multi-ethnic food court serving everything from pizza to Greek to Thai bites; a kids’ zone offering pony rides, bungee jumps, and inflatables; dozens of novelty vendors featuring handmade crafts, jewelry, home decor, and wine accessories; a VIP lounge for select guests; a VIP food and wine pairing experience coordinated with Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill; and more. ONYX Automotive became a major sponsor of the Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival in 2021, providing the 7,000 to 8,000 guests who attended each evening with an array of luxury vehicles to peruse for purchase or simply enjoy as eye candy. “Last year was our first year of heavy involvement, we really ramped it up,” said ONYX Automotive General Manager Scott Sutton. “We thought it was a good relationship due to the high caliber of the event and perfect crossover audience with our customer demographics.” “This is ONYX’s second year of sponsorship,” confirmed Mike Mancuso, event manager and president of Mid-America Expositions, the festival’s producer. “I think they saw us as a good fit. The luxury vehicles they represent embody excellence, and the cross section of people that attend are those that aspire to be the best.” Mancuso continued, “This year, they’ve chosen to expand their role by also

sponsoring our paragliding [event], which we started when we hosted a RE/MAX skydiving team in 2018. Since then, we’ve worked with local skydiving teams. We utilize a helicopter, and it’s fun to watch as they jump out and descend onto the field. We also offer helicopter rides on Saturday.” “Outside of the vehicle displays, [paragliding] seemed like something the people would really enjoy” and add to the guest experience, Sutton explained. Modeled after a festival in Temecula Valley, California, the Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival began in 2006 at an open development near 204th & Dodge streets. The event has moved to locations throughout the metro over the years, eventually settling at Ta-HaZouka Park in 2019. “We needed an area with room for the balloons to launch and land, but property kept getting developed,” Mancuso said. “Being a public city park, this has become a more permanent location. It’s an intimate setting—it’s a bit sunken and sheltered—with a nice grassy area and nearby athletic fields. It’s worked well.” Mancuso said wineries from Nebraska and Iowa make up the majority of vendors, but some from Missouri and South Dakota, and even a few national vintners, have been welcomed. The event has seen 12 to 14 balloonists from the region, and as far away as Colorado and Texas, visit in recent years. Besides location, the biggest change in the event since it started has been the move to becoming a family event. “Originally we were shooting for the wine-tasting crowd, but because of the balloons drawing families we added the kid zone and given it more of a family-friendly atmosphere,” Mancuso said. “Kids love getting up close to the [balloon] gallery, meeting the pilots and learning how the burners work, asking questions. It’s really one of the most spectacular parts of the event.” Visit showofficeonline.com/NebraskaWineBalloon for more information.

ROAD TRIP

EUGENE T. MAHONEY STATE PARK Driven to Flourish

Story by Julius Fredrick // Photography by Bill Sitzmann

he year was 1976. Nebraskans’ preferred outdoor pastimes, fishing and hunting, were enjoyed ubiquitously throughout the state, from the humblest of farmhands to the unicameral’s top brass— receiving ample financial support legislatively and from private donors as a result.

A 25-minute drive from ONYX Automotive via westbound I-80, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s 673 acres feature an array of natural attractions and modern amenities, including miles of hiking trails, cabins and campgrounds for overnight stays, and boating and fishing on Baright Lake from Owen Marina.

However, the “Parks” half of the “Nebraska Game and Parks Commission” had begun to sag noticeably by this time—the lack of funds flowing through the state park system inevitably leading to structural atrophy and anemic attendance—rendering the agency’s face all but palsied for tourists and locals not sold on deer blinds and tackle boxes.

While Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is a lovely environment for leisure, the park also offers more unique, challenging activities, such as the Go Ape ropes courses. The courses begin with a rendezvous in the forest canopy, after which visitors spend up to three hours navigating suspended obstacles, exhilarating ziplines, and breathtaking views.

On July 18 that year, former state senator Eugene “Gene” T. Mahoney was appointed director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission—and garnered a host of critics eager to point out his lack of ecological credentials. However, Mahoney would quickly, if not bluntly, stake his claim during an interview with a Lincoln Star reporter, reportedly stating: “The name of the game is funding.” Today, the success of Mahoney’s vision of a revitalized Nebraska state parks system—namely through his remarkable talent as a fundraiser—is well-founded, and consequently well-stated, with Nebraska’s flagship Eugene T. Mahoney State Park bearing the Mahoney family crest as its banner, a road passing through a cluster of cabins named for Mahoney’s ancestral home of Cork County, Ireland, and most importantly, the realization of his designs for a Nebraska state park rivaling the quality of any in the nation.

The courses can be booked ahead of time online or via telephone, which include: the Treetop Adventure ($59.95), Treetop Journey ($34.95), Night at Height ($34.95), Treetop Discovery ($39.95), and finally, the harrowing 40-foot Monkey Drop at $14.95 per “leap of faith.” Families seeking refuge from the summer heat need not look further than the park’s Family Aquatic Center. The Aquatic Center features a no-depth swimming and wave pool, two waterslides slithering 236 feet from the top, a fountain-flourished water playground, extensive sunbathing space, and concessions serving typical pool-side fare—a combination that’s sure to make a splash with kids and parents alike.

Another area of the park making waves with the public is the aforementioned Owen Marina on Baright Lake, where paddleboat rentals and designated fishing areas allow guests an up-close view of the park’s sundry waterfowl and fish species. Additionally, the marina serves as a depot for fishing and camping supplies, and offers sports equipment—ranging from soccer balls to horseshoes—for loan free of charge. Other outdoor activities include mountain biking, horseback riding, miniature golf, picnic areas with on-site grills, and a variety of sports fields and courts. While there’s no shortage of engaging recreation outside, guests won’t grow restless opting for a break from the elements. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Activity Center is open year-round, housing an enormous multi-story indoor playground complete with slides, net bridges, ball pits, and a rock climbing wall. Come mid-November, the Center’s adjoining ice-skating pavilion invites guests to glide across 40 feet by 80 feet of covered, yet open-sided ice. There’s also the Arts & Crafts Center, where families are encouraged to explore their impressions of the park’s natural beauty through paints, ceramics, leather-tooling, and woodcraft. However, the “jewel of the park,” as described by Nebraska Games & Parks website, is the vast, stately, and fully modern Peter Kiewit Lodge. The lodge houses 40 guest rooms, most with balconies overlooking charming Platte River vistas, and all furnished with commodities including microwaves, televisions, wireless internet, and more. ›››

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Vehicle shown: 2023 BMW iX. †Price shown is Manufacturer’s Base Retail Price. Excludes destination/handling, tax, title, license, retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. Residency restrictions apply. *For complete details regarding ONYX Maintenance Program coverage, including the new vehicle limited warranty, please visit ONYXAUTOMOTIVE.COM, call 402.393.9700 or visit ONYX Automotive. © 2022 BMW of North America, LLC

A 25-MINUTE DRIVE FROM ONYX AUTOMOTIVE VIA WESTBOUND I-80, EUGENE T. MAHONEY STATE PARK’S 673 ACRES FEATURE AN ARRAY OF NATURAL ATTRACTIONS AND MODERN AMENITIES, INCLUDING MILES OF HIKING TRAILS, CABINS AND CAMPGROUNDS FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS, AND BOATING AND FISHING ON BARIGHT LAKE FROM THE OWEN MARINA.

‹‹‹ The newest addition to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park—which opened April 1, 2021—can be discovered through the lodge’s main lobby: a full-service, fine-dining restaurant dubbed The View. With broad windows overlooking the tranquil, rolling currents of the Platte River, the name is apropos, with dazzling plates—like a gorgeously seared 10-oz. ribeye steak—to match. Warmer months also herald a number of park-exclusive events, like “Mahoney Melodrama” stage performances and Sip Nebraska Wine, Beer, and Spirits festivals, each fine excuses to break in a new ONYX vehicle and dirty the trim as nature intended. Though it took a great deal of work and the unwavering vision of some highly determined individuals, Nebraskans are proud of their state parks, with destinations such as Eugene T. Mahoney State Park blazing new, exciting trails for locals and tourists to explore— and providing great reasons for motorists to escape city limits for a taste of fresh air. Visit outdoornebraska.gov/mahoney for more information.

FEATURE - VICTORY LANE

VICTORY LANE

Collectors have found the space to give their passion room to grow. Story by Sara Locke // Photography by Bill Sitzmann

Auto enthusiasts—whether their prefered make and model is a 2022 Jaguar Ftype or a 1958 BMW 503—look at vehicles and see passion, performance, and the road to freedom.

At an exclusive gated campus on 204th Street and West Center Road, car collectors and enthusiasts have allowed their hobby to take up residence at Victory Lane. The private facility offers custom-built condos exclusively for the two and four-wheeled members of the family. The facility offers 24-hour key card access and security monitoring for the community, creating a secure environment where like-minds can congregate and conversate about what gets their engine going. ›››

“WE HAVE MOVED INTO THE PLANNING STAGES OF PHASE II AND ARE READY TO EXPAND.” SCOTT ROUSE

“IRONICALLY, WE HAD ALL BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT ON OUR OWN, AND THE IDEA JUST KIND OF NATURALLY CAME UP IN CONVERSATION. THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE IT IN OMAHA, AND WE WEREN’T SURE IF THERE WAS SPACE FOR IT AT THE TIME.” SCOTT ROUSE

‹‹‹ The four founding partners of this unique concept are a team of entrepreneurs, car collectors, and friends who knew that Omaha enthusiasts deserved a place to house their investments. Scott Rouse, Bill Peel, Robert Foster, and Mike Welniak have been friends for years, and conceptualized Victory Lane more than a decade ago. ›››

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‹‹‹ “Ironically, we had all been thinking about it on our own, and the idea just kind of naturally came up in conversation.” Rouse recalled. “There was nothing like it in Omaha, and we weren’t sure if there was space for it at the time. Over the last five years or so, there have been a few attempts at similar concepts, but nothing like what we had in mind. These were all warehouses way out in the middle of nowhere. We were envisioning this really architecturally interesting, accessible space, close to people’s homes. We wanted to keep people’s hobby close by, not to throw it in some dark warehouse for a season and forget about it. We wanted a way for people to really engage with this lifestyle, and with others who valued their vehicles and the time spent on and with them.”

What the four friends proposed was more than a storage facility, but a community of passionate people sharing a space built around camaraderie, culture, friendship, and events that would draw car lovers from near and far. “We host charity events, parties for our community members, and social functions where our members can come together and share their experiences and expertise.” While most of the events are autosteered, the vehicles are only the catalyst. Victory Lane is a space anyone can enjoy. One event to be held there was a monthly gathering Rouse and his neighbors take turns holding in their homes or garages. When it was the Rouses’ turn to host, they brought their neighbors out to Victory Lane. ›››

Scott Rouse ‹‹‹ “These are always such fun events, and such a great opportunity for people to connect with those they live near.” He said. “They usually run 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and people start migrating back home around 6:45 p.m. When we hosted the group of more than 50 out at Victory, we were all still hanging out and exploring the space and the landscaping well after 10. Everyone found something enjoyable about the environment, and it’s a really welcoming place to be.” The Buy-In Storage rental spaces are nothing new, but Victory Lane is truly a home away from home for cars and the ones who love them. Each unit can be fully customized, with the smallest unit offering a four-vehicle capacity, and the largest up to eight. Sitting between 850 and 1,190 square feet, Victory Lane’s car condos offer a generous and inviting space clients enjoy customizing down to the last details. Each unit features 20-foot ceilings, in-floor heating, plumbing, and electrical pre-hookups, and cable and internet accessibility. While Rouse saw these amenities as great bonus features for car condominium owners, the timing of the establishment’s opening unlocked a new way to see the offering he and his team had made to Omaha entrepreneurs.

“Our opening date was March of 2020. That was a hard time to launch anything, if you recall,” Rouse said. “We wanted to be realistic and gave ourselves five years to sell our original 56 units. We tried to give ourselves a little grace there, with COVID slowing so much down. To our surprise, we were impacted in the opposite way.” Clients customized their units to feature small kitchenettes, entertainment areas, and work spaces. “Everyone was stuck at home right then. Kids were trying to attend school online while parents were trying to conduct remote meetings and submit work. It was a lot to ask of families to suddenly turn their living space into their only space. We found people utilizing their units as a work space or remote office, or using the wifi to come out and just listen to music, take a break, get some distance, and regroup.” Rouse was pleasantly surprised that the units sold out within two years, surpassing even the team’s pre-pandemic goal. “We have moved into the planning stages of Phase II and are ready to expand,” he said. Some of Phase II’s upgrades will likely include a social hall, clubhouse, and banquet area to expand on their group event capacity.

The Victory Lane team is proud to offer a state-of-the-art space where car lovers can network, connect, and share their unique condo designs. While owners can’t actually live in the unit, each owner has filled their space with life. “When we host events, sometimes people will open up their unit and let people come and go,” Rouse said. “Everyone has really filled up their space well, and there is so much personality and character in each of the units. We get really excited to see what people are going to do with their condo. Some have added lofts, wet bars, arcade games, even golf simulators.” Victory Lane has been a success in more ways than the four men originally imagined, but now that they have unlocked Omaha car lovers’ creativity, they want to see how much bigger they can go. “We didn’t want people to have to lock away their hobby during an unpleasant season. We wanted them to be able to enjoy their cars year-round.” While their clients continue to explore the possibilities, this place is a certified victory for everyone involved. Visit victorylaneomaha.com for more information.

“EVERYONE HAS REALLY FILLED UP THEIR SPACE WELL, AND THERE IS SO MUCH PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER IN EACH OF THE UNITS.“ SCOTT ROUSE

FEATURE - CONCIERGE SERVICE

CONCIERGE SERVICE

Bringing Value to Clients’ Valuable Time Story by Daisy Hutzell-Rodman // Photography by Bill Sitzmann

Russ Hansen

n the ever-evolving landscape of automotive service, ONYX has combined new technology with hospitality to create a bold new offering for their clientele. “In mid-2020, when people were being strategic about entering a public space, ONYX saw an opportunity to pick up people’s cars so they could stay home,” said Russ Hansen, Service Support Manager at ONYX Automotive. “We reallocated some of our personnel to be part of that service.” That proactive effort became the Concierge Service, and since 2020, the pickup and drop-off service has only become more popular. ONYX Automotive listened to clients when they said one of their pain points was...wait times for routine services. ONYX Automotive knows their clientele lead busy, productive lives, and their time is valuable, so the idea of adding value to their clients’ lives intrigued them.

“WE SAW AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE MARKETPLACE. WE WANTED TO PROVIDE A BEST-IN-CLASS OFFERING WITH A SERVICE WHERE WE PICK UP AND DROP OFF AT YOUR HOME OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.” RUSS HANSEN “We saw an opportunity in the marketplace. We wanted to provide a best-inclass offering with a service where we pick up and drop off at your home or place of business,” Hansen said. Once clients realized the Concierge program, they immediately began using it. The ease of use appealed to them, and being able to fit their scheduled maintenance jobs on their time made them happy. “Any business, if they are wise, follows the tailwind,” Hansen said. “The market was suggesting that this was something we could implement on a broader scale and have success.”

The idea grew through word of mouth, and ONYX Automotive began allocating a team devoted to picking up and dropping off clients’ cars. In the early days of the service, ONYX Automotive was picking up and delivering about 8-12 vehicles a week. Today, they deliver 8-12 vehicles a day, using a team that includes a fleet of 17 drivers. The process is simple. When a vehicle is due for maintenance, the client contacts the call center and requests Concierge service. ONYX said the goal is toreduce service turnaround times through this program. The drivers will come to them. “It provides a unique opportunity for clients, because they might be on vacation and we’ll go and pick up the car while they are on vacation,” Hansen said. “Or if they change locations, we can go to a new location—such as picking up the vehicle at home and returning it to a place of business.” When the service is completed, ONYX clients can be assured their vehicle will come back to them without having to visit the dealership. “When the car is done, we text people the link, and once the car is en route, they can track our driver live to see the location, to have a good expectation of when they will have the vehicle,” Hansen said. “We schedule when to return their car to them.” At this time, ONYX said they are the only people in the dealership in the area they know of using this type of service, and it is another example of the dealership being willing to go above and beyond for their clients. “One of the unique features is that we know our clientele is not all local,” Hansen said. “This service gives clients within a 150-mile radius the opportunity to have their vehicle serviced by an OEM service technician as opposed to the independent shop in their area. It allows the nonlocal audience the opportunity to have their vehicle serviced the right way by the right shop.”

It’s an innovative way of doing business, but Hansen said it’s going to be the trend going forward, noting: “That puts us in a good position. There are beginning to be more dealerships in larger markets that do this, but ONYX is the first in the Omaha market.” It’s become popular with clients as well. As the idea has gained traction, people have been pleased to have an alternative to the waiting room. “We had a customer who lived in Sioux City who was going to the airport,” Hansen said. “She drove the car to our shop, we shuttled her to the airport, and her car was done by the time she got back.”

“WE HAD A CUSTOMER WHO LIVED IN SIOUX CITY WHO WAS GOING TO THE AIRPORT. SHE DROVE THE CAR TO OUR SHOP, WE SHUTTLED HER TO THE AIRPORT, AND HER CAR WAS DONE BY THE TIME SHE GOT BACK.” RUSS HANSEN The best part of this service is that it’s an inclusive offering as part of being an ONYX Automotive client. Fuel prices, auto parts prices, may be going up, but ONYX Automotive has committed that the Concierge service is part of their customer service. “Our ultimate goal is for this to be a very successful program. We want to encourage all of our clientele to use this,” Hansen said. “It’s part of our mission to make ONYX the new standard of luxury.” Visit onyxautomotive.com for more information.

It also has flexibility. ONYX can drop off a loaner at the time of pickup to keep clients mobile throughout the day, and will always work with a client to make sure service is done when it is convenient for them.

FEATURE - LOST RAIL

ON TRACK

Lost Rail is Worth the Wait Story by Terry Jensen // Photography by Bill Sitzmann

he men behind Lost Rail Golf Club are passionate about golf. As Omaha natives, they’re equally passionate about Nebraska. Scott Hoffman and his cousin, Dirk Chatelain, have partnered with Bill Kubly of Lincoln’s Landscapes Unlimited to build a destination designed purely for golf. On 155 acres of pastureland northwest of Gretna, they are creating the exclusive, membersonly club that golf course architect Hoffman always imagined. Club memberships sold out months before the long-anticipated opening. Area golfers are eager to share their passion. Hoffman’s career as a golf course designer spans more than 20 years, mostly in the western United States. In 2019, he and Chatelain decided the time was right to look for properties in the metro area. There was a need for a different type of golf course in Omaha. Chatelain explained, “Omaha hasn’t had a new, private course in at least 20 years. And we really didn’t want to be a country club, we wanted to be an old-fashioned golf club. There’s a lot of old classic clubs on the East coast and in Chicago, places where golf is really the only thing.” There are a number of high level, elite golf courses in the Nebraska Sandhills, but Hoffman’s vision was to take destination golf and make it more easily accessible. “Move it to the edge of the city so it’s 15 minutes away instead of five hours away,” Chatelain said. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot of available property in the Omaha area that would accommodate such a project. ›››

“OMAHA HASN’T HAD A NEW, PRIVATE COURSE IN AT LEAST 20 YEARS. AND WE REALLY DIDN’T WANT TO BE A COUNTRY CLUB, WE WANTED TO BE AN OLD-FASHIONED GOLF CLUB.” DIRK CHATELAIN

“AT ONE POINT, IT CROSSES THIS RUGGED RAVINE, THIS CANYON IN A VERY DRAMATIC WAY AND AT SOME POINT OVER THE LAST 5075 YEARS, THE RAIL BED ACTUALLY COLLAPSED INTO THIS DEEP CREEK AND JUST CREATES THIS INCREDIBLE LITTLE LANDFORM THAT YOU WOULDN’T SEE ANYWHERE ELSE. DIRK CHATELAIN

‹‹‹ Almost by accident, they found a unique piece of land near Gretna that presented real possibilities. “It’s got this incredible variety to it. There’s some high ridges where you can see about 20 miles to the west over the Elkhorn River, there’s this beautiful pastureland where there’s a bunch of dense trees, there’s this rugged canyon and ravine that kind of winds through the property,” Chatelain said. Unfortunately, that perfect property was not for sale. The owner of the land was a woman named Marleen Muenster. She and her husband, John, lived there for many years. John passed in 2002. Several years later, Marleen’s health was failing, but she was reluctant to sell her beloved home to buyers who might turn it into housing developments and pave over the natural beauty. “We really did intend to preserve it and maintain the character of the property, and we didn’t want to change the land forms or take down a bunch of trees. We wanted it to still feel like that pastureland that meant so much to her,” Chatelain explained. After listening to their ideas, Muenster thought their golf club was a pretty good idea. “We did this deal in December of 2019, when the contract finally got signed. Then it took us about a year to go through permitting and to get the county to sign off on it and to build up enough membership and partnership to really press go. A year after we shook hands and a month after we broke

ground and actually started construction, Marleen passed away in December of 2020. So that was the bittersweet part of this, that she wasn’t around to see it,” Chatelain said. Hoffman and Chatelain are reassured that it gave Muenster some peace, knowing that her home was safe at last. The way the course preserves the integrity of the land does make it unique. Chatelain and Hoffman learned that the property was home to an abandoned Burlington Northern rail line. The route was originally developed as a short cut but fell out of use. It was torn apart for steel during World War I and the rail bed was all that remained. “At one point, it crosses this rugged ravine, this canyon in a very dramatic way and at some point over the last 50-75 years, the rail bed actually collapsed into this deep creek and just creates this incredible little landform that you wouldn’t see anywhere else, certainly in the area and probably not anywhere in the Midwest. We actually ran a golf hole over and through that break in the rail bed,” Chatelain explained. They liked the story of the abandoned rail line so much, they named the course after it. The club became Lost Rail. “So, we got it to work, and after about two months of trying to get the word out that we were going to do this, COVID came, and threw a little bit of a wrench in the plans,“ Chatelain said. Then, the pandemic brought people outdoors and golf experienced a resurgence. Long waits for tee times required reservations several days in advance.

“We really wanted to be a small club that people wouldn’t have a hard time getting out and playing. They wouldn’t have to get on a list seven days in advance to get a tee time, they could basically just drive out and show up at the first tee and play 18 holes or play six holes and have dinner and go home,” he explained. The limit for members is currently set at 250. “We want to make sure that that promise we made to everybody of accessibility, a wide open golf course essentially, is fulfilled—that’s the highest priority.” Chatelain said. The clubhouse won’t have banquet rooms or host wedding receptions. There are no plans for pools or tennis courts, just golf. Omaha finally has a destination course all its own. Chatelain believes the best amenity is the peaceful nature of the Nebraska pastureland. He lives about four minutes away and comes out to the course often. “It’s just a beautiful place to walk. It’s good for the soul. It’s peace and quiet. You really have a hard time believing that you’re only two miles from 204th Street. I think all those things will make it a really special place,” he said. Construction should be completed this summer. Lost Rail currently has a waiting list for members. Visit lostrailgolf.com for more information.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER THE SHAPE OF ADVENTURE

OMAHA

CUSTOMIZE YOURS STARTING AT: $51,700* Everything about the Land Rover Defender bears testimony to the vehicle’s undeniable spirit of adventure. Individually customize your off-road system preferences and explore your way with Configurable Terrain Response®† and intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment system‡ to stay connected. So, whether you’re rock crawling in Moab or cruising West Dodge, the Land Rover Defender is ready for anything.

ONYX Automotive 14800 Branch St Omaha, NE 68154 ONYXAUTOMOTIVE.COM

Vehicle shown: 2021 Land Rover Defender. †Price shown is Manufacturer’s Base Retail Price. Excludes destination/handling, tax, title, license, retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. Residency restrictions apply. *For complete details regarding ONYX Maintenance Program coverage, including the new vehicle limited warranty, please visit ONYXAUTOMOTIVE.COM, call 402.393.9700 or visit ONYX Automotive. © 2022 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC