Omaha's The Center

One of America's first fully-enclosed, suburban shopping malls was built on the outskirts of Omaha's downtown district. THE CENTER was officially dedicated in October 1955.

Graphic from Wiebe Enterprises

The compact community-class complex covered approximately 200,000 leasable square feet, housed twenty-six stores and twenty-nine offices. Free parking was provided for 1,600 autos. THE CENTER was anchored by the first shopping center branch of Iowa's Younkers chain.
Drawing from Younker Brothers, Incorporated

In a 1955 plan, the 1st Level is depicted. There were three main retail floors, a 4th Level of offices and 5th Level penthouse. This eventually housed a bowling alley, restaurant and cocktail bar. The core shopping center is surrounded by a 3-level parking garage. Entrances to all three decks are made possible by the incline of the site. It slopes downward from east to west (or from South 40th Street over to South 42nd Street).

THE CENTER TENANTS 1955:

1st LEVEL

BIG CHIEF center market / HESTED STORES VARIETY CORNER / Anthony's Liquors / Anthony's Panther Room cocktail lounge / Carl S. Baum Druggist / Kimbal Launderers & Dry Cleaners / Mode O' Day Frock Shop / Omar Retail Shop bakery / Reed's Ice Cream & Snack Shop / The Center Barber Shop 

2nd LEVEL

YOUNKERS First Floor Store / Brain's Stores (hobby, sporting goods, toys, gifts & stationery)  / Cook Paint & Varnish / J. Warner Studios Photography / Lollipop Lane children's wear / The Center Bank / The Center Coffee Shop / The Center Loan & Investment Company

3rd LEVEL

YOUNKERS Second Floor Store / Baker's Qualicraft Shoes / Calandra Camera Stores / J. S. Lerner's Vogue ladies' wear / Thom McAn Shoes / National Shirt Shops / Spectator ladies' wear 

4th LEVEL

YOUNKERS Balcony (with Appliance Store, Book Store and Beauty Salon) / Clifford L. Smith, Medical Doctor / Henry L. Dworak, Medical Doctor / J.A. Lyons, Doctor of Dental Science / Lyle Q. Hills, Attorney At Law / The Center, Incorporated

5th LEVEL

The Center Roof Garden Restaurant

Our THE CENTER logo montage is comprised of trademarks of stores that operated in the original mall. The largest tenants were Younkers, a Hested's 5 & 10 and Big Chief supermarket.