If the economy is sending messages, according to three recent store openings in Rockbrook Village, located at 108th and West Center Road, the consumer is still traveling, having babies and decorating their homes.
Custom Cruises & Travel is owned by Mary Ann Strasheim. She started the boutique travel agency more than twelve years ago out of her home. A recent expansion of staff and services brought the agency to Rockbrook Village. “We chose Rockbrook Village for four reasons: the upscale nature of its businesses, its central location, and the esthetic feel and look of the Village. We also felt it was important to have a retail presence, ” explained Ms. Strasheim.
Staff includes their daughter Elise Aust who is both office manager and a travel agent. Four outside agents also work for Custom Cruises & Travel. “We are planning to add more agents as we continue to grow,” said Ms. Strasheim.
In a world filled with internet travel sites, their clients repeatedly work with Custom Cruises because the agents offer a high degree of experience to their clients. “We are all highly experienced travelers ourselves. We do all types of custom packages for our clients, helping to ensure that their travel experience is just what they want it to be. When we assist the traveler, often they are staying at hotels we have been to and taken trips that we have taken ourselves,” she added.
However, not all of their customers are experienced world-travelers! “We have a lot of new travelers. They find that we can help inexperienced people avoid any costly mistakes or bad experiences. In fact, our clients are based all over the country and international as well. “
The agency belongs to “Ensemble Travel Group,” a consortium of travel agencies. Through the consortium, Custom Cruises can offer better value than what can be found online. Hours are 10 AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday and nights/weekends by appointment.
Stork Vision is already taking appointments for a December opening in Rockbrook Village. This is a locally-owned franchise that offers prenatal imaging in 2D, 3D and 4D. The Texas-based national corporation has locations in nine states currently and is expanding.
Owner Jill Zuerlein, (now expecting Baby #3!) who is also a pharmaceutical drug representative, explains the unique new service: “Our expectant moms and their families will love the cozy living room, with a 32” inch flat screen monitor for a home theater-like setting to view the baby. The scan can capture the very first memories of the baby onto DVDs, CDs, or printed pictures which are available in different packages.
“The expectant moms can make a party out of the experience, bringing in family and friends and celebrate in a way they’ll never forget,” explained Ms. Zuerlein.
Baby-related merchandise will also be available, including heartbeat teddy bears, diaper bags, onesies, baby jewelry and photo frames that are not available locally.
Stork Vision will be open mostly by appointments in evenings and Saturdays. Staff will include registered ARDMS professional sonographers who will do the scans. The scans are fully anatomical in nature, limited to noting fetal number, baby’s position, baby’s gender and the presence of a fetal heartbeat. A Medical Director will oversee the facility.
Ms. Zuerlein chose Rockbrook Village for her new business because of the merchant mix and the central location’s proximity to the Interstate.
Tweed Couch has opened in the west end of Rockbrook Village. Merchandise available is small accessory pieces, wall art and furniture. All are one-of-a-kind and can only be found in Omaha at Tweed Couch.
Owner Diane Flynn has extensive experience in the floor covering sector; she wanted to own her own design studio and express her attitude about remodeling and home design.
Ms. Flynn describes her shop as “where I am able to show customers how I love to blend the old with the new and how easily and tastefully it can be done by using just the right pieces. These are pieces that speak to you personally, pieces that you will hold dear to your heart for a long time. They are often understated and look completely different in their new life with new paint and fabric,” she explains.
The fabric she selects for her distinctive vintage pieces instantly updates it and extends the life of it. She selects fabric from a custom fabric house in Chicago, available only through Tweed Couch.
“I like to put unlikely pieces next to each other; the juxtaposition of something like a cast iron floor lamp next to a mirrored chest is unexpected and perfect.”
People always ask her where she finds her vintage pieces. “I have haunts that I have worked with for years. I have developed relationships with people who sell me their beautiful and beloved furniture. They are charmed by the new look and new life for them. I go all over the US, finding and bringing unique merchandise to the people of Omaha,” she said.
The look of the shop is constantly changing. “I am always bringing in new merchandise. Because I only buy 2 like pieces, when they are gone, the shop looks different. I have noticed that people like to just come in the shop, sit down for a while and linger over the atmosphere,” she added.
Ms. Flynn selected Rockbrook Village for her new business because of the “welcoming, comfortable, homey feeling here. The central location can’t be beat. I also love the localness of Rockbrook and the local entrepreneurs who are all Omaha-based and are providing resources here,” she said.