Groundbreaking a Grocery Store

Heart ministry center prepares to launch its next social enterprise

Heart Ministry Center’s grocery store social enterprise began as an idea to provide access to fresh, affordable food in the North Omaha neighborhood. As the idea gained momentum and support, plans began to take shape. The ceremonial groundbreaking on Saturday, September 19 marked the official kickoff for construction on the new grocery store.

Shaped by Community Voices

From the start, community input guided grocery store planning. Heart Ministry Center invited feedback through focus groups, online surveys, small‑group conversations, and larger vision meetings so residents could help shape the store’s offerings. Youth, seniors, families, neighborhood leaders, faith communities, and local businesses shared their desires for a neighborhood grocery store.

One focus group participant captured the challenge clearly: “There’s nothing close enough that’s walking distance, or easily on the bus line.” This feedback, added to more than 450 survey responses, was used to refine the store’s features and respond to local priorities.

From Ideas to Action

City officials, community leaders, Heart supporters, friends and staff gathered on 25th and Lake Streets on Saturday, September 19 to champion the grocery store project.

The 25,000‑square‑foot grocery store will be located at 2511 Lake St. NE, at the southeast corner of Lake Street NE and North 26th Street, anchoring a central corridor in North Omaha.

Why A Social Enterprise

This grocery store is a Heart Ministry Center social enterprise with three main purposes.

First, it will serve a community need. The store addresses the food desert by providing access to fresh, affordable food in nearby North Omaha neighborhoods. By placing a grocery store within walking distance and along bus routes, the project reduces the burden of traveling long distances for staple items and fresh produce.

Second, it will create meaningful employment. The store will provide jobs for local residents and graduates of Fresh Start, Heart Ministry Center’s nine‑month personalized workforce development program. Together with other social enterprises, the grocery store offers a career pipeline for Fresh Start participants and a path to more stable, higher‑wage work.

Finally, as a social enterprise, the grocery store will reinvest proceeds into Heart Ministry Center’s broader mission. That mission is to provide food, healthcare, and a way forward for people severely affected by poverty in Omaha, so every visit to the store supports ongoing services and support.

Return on Investment

Heart Ministry Center evaluates the return on investment for this project in terms of health, economic impact, and community stability.

Improving access to healthy, affordable food can lower the risk of chronic illnesses and reduce overall annual medical care costs.

Economically, the store is expected to create jobs for local residents, expand the workforce development pipeline for Fresh Start graduates, and increase economic activity along the Lake Street corridor.

Socially, the store reflects a commitment to the future of our neighborhood and community. CEO of Heart Ministry Center, Damany Rahn shared, “We are grateful to every person who has shared feedback and helped shape this project. As a social enterprise, this grocery store is being built to serve generations to come by providing sustainable, affordable resources that support our community’s well-being. People are at the heart of Heart Ministry Center’s mission, and this project is a direct reflection of that commitment.”

A hopeful beginning

The groundbreaking was a hope-filled event for North Omaha and for Heart Ministry Center. The spirit of collaboration and community present on September 19 will continue to gain momentum and inspire the work through the ribbon-cutting in 2028.

Funding for the project is ongoing. To learn how you can support the grocery store, please email rick@heartministrycenter.org.