The owners of Wohlner’s Neighborhood Grocery & Deli said the store will be closing after more than 100 years in business.
Bob and Dianne Kimball, the current owners of Wohlner’s, said Wednesday they are retiring and closing the store. An exact closing date has yet to be announced.
“This decision certainly wasn’t easy,” Bob Kimball said in a news release. “But after many years of serving this community, we feel it’s time to enjoy the next chapter of our lives. We’re incredibly grateful for the support of our loyal customers, who have become like family to us.”
The Kimballs also announced the news on Facebook, where dozens of commenters wished the couple well and said they were sorry to see the Omaha icon close.
“What a special place. You will be missed,” wrote one person. “End of an era,” commented another. “Absolutely love this store,” added a third.
The store in Midtown Crossing is offering 15% off total orders to celebrate 15 years in the current location. Customers are encouraged to shop at Wohlner’s in the final days, bid farewell to the Kimballs and share memories of the store on social media, the release said.
The Kimballs purchased Wohlner’s from third-generation owner Mike Schwartz. Before becoming owner, Bob Kimball served as Wohlner’s general manager for four years.
According to the Wohlner’s website, the Kimballs assumed ownership at the height of COVID-19’s first wave.
Albert Wohlner was among a generation of Jewish immigrants who operated many grocery stores and related food businesses in Omaha. He opened the store with a cousin in 1918, at a time when a small retail shop was a common way for immigrants like him to get a foothold in the economy.
When the store opened, it was known as California Grocery and located at 33rd and California streets.
The grocery had its challenges. Just after Christmas 1919, it was looted of more than 50 cases of goods: tuna fish, milk, lard and pineapple, according to a newspaper account.
The business also fought competition as large national distributors like A&P and chains like Safeway entered the Omaha market.
Wohlner and the owners of other small independent stores founded United Cooperative Food Stores in 1932, allowing them to offer customers more competitive prices.
The business moved in 1934 to 5205 Leavenworth St., where as Wohlner’s it became a neighborhood fixture lasting nearly 70 years, serving residents of the Dundee, Happy Hollow and Elmwood Park neighborhoods.
In 1962, Al Wohlner passed the business to son-in-law Sidney Schwartz, who ran it for 25 years before passing it to his son, Mike Schwartz.
In 2008, Schwartz moved the family grocery store from Leavenworth Street to Aksarben Village.
In 2012, he sold that store to Ramu Kilaru of Omaha, and it closed in 2014.
Fifteen years ago, Schwartz opened the Midtown Crossing location just a few blocks from his grandfather’s original store at 33rd and California streets.