Omaha Home: new on the block Story by Linda Persigehl and Bailey Hemphill • Photos by Scott Drickey and Bill Sitzmann
Deck Pros 3613 S. 149th St. Altech Business Park
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eck Pros’ new 3,000-sq.
ft. West Omaha showroom offers all the inspiration you’ll need to design and build the deck of your dreams. The company sells Trex, Timbertech, AZEK, and several other manufacturers’ lines. “In the last [few] years, the [decking products] market has evolved and each vendor now has three to five lines, and within each line, five or six color options,” said owner Charles Graziano. “Deck railings are also available in virtually an unlimited number of options today. We saw a lot of value in being able to have a showroom to display 20 to 30 options.” Deck Pros uses advanced integrated design software, Graziano said. “We can model the customer’s home, model a proposed deck, even animate the scene and add landscaping, a firepit, and other details. They get to see how the design will translate to the finished product.” The Altech location has served the decking firm well, Graziano said. “We wanted to be somewhat centrally located and convenient for our customers. Where we are now, shoppers are able to stop over on their way home from work or after picking up kids…They’re able to come in to browse without having to go far out of their way. And our hours are convenient too. We take evening appointments during the week, and we’re open on Saturdays.” M-F/10-7pm; Sat/9am-1pm 402-690-2195 www.deckprosinc.com H34
november/december • 2012
NJ&Co 17650 Wright St., Suite #4 Legacy West
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ith f u r n is h i n g s , frocks, and finds, NJ&Co
is for everyone and every space. NJ&Co can best be described as an upscale chic shopping experience where customers can shop several small boutiques in one location. This “boutique within a boutique” approach is part of the local attitude that owner-operators Jane White and Nicole Leathers desired for their store. “We offer a shop-local mentality, in which we will partner with local artists, designers, and entrepreneurs to open small boutiques within the larger space,” says Leathers. White and Leathers are actually a mother/ daughter team with an eye for business and a love for unique designs. White had been in retail sales for 30 years, successfully owning and operating five Hallmark stores and two furniture and home accessory stores in Wisconsin. Leathers spent her years after college working in international transportation and logistics as a regional human resources manager for Mervyn’s California stores. When both mother and daughter came to Omaha, they decided that it was time to fulfill the dream they had always had—partnering to open an upscale boutique. And in August 2012, they opened NJ&Co in Legacy West. M-Sat/10am-6pm; Sun/12-4pm 402-502-1962 www.njandcompany.com
The Pot & Ladle 8264 Hascall St. Omaha, NE
"O
maha’s only consignment store for those who
love to cook or entertain.” This is how owner MJ Zaremba bills her kitchen store, The Pot & Ladle, which opened in late August. The store carries previously owned quality pots and pans, casual entertaining wear, cutlery, fine china, baking dishes, cookbooks, wall art, and more. Zaremba said her store serves two different customers. “There’s a generation of people now downsizing, and many of them have such nice stuff. People kind of light up when they realize selling it on consignment is an option. It’s easier to let go, knowing [their nice things] will go to someone who will really enjoy and use it. There’s also a lot of younger people who love to cook or entertain. They might want to upgrade from beginner pieces they started with, but they can’t afford buying new at high-end stores. Here, they’ll find really good quality things at wonderful prices.” Zaremba features consigned items for 60 days, then splits the sale price 50/50 with consignors. “If items don’t sell, the consignor has five days to pick them up. If they choose to leave them, the items will be sold at two annual clearance sales. The first is planned for this spring.” Half the money raised will be donated to Youth Emergency Services in Omaha. Tu-F/10am-5:30pm; Sat/10-3pm 402-932-8040 www.facebook.com/thepotandladle www.OmahaPublications.com