Omaha council approves several liquor licenses; one store agrees to limit single‑use sales

The Omaha City Council voted to approve multiple liquor‑license applications and to adopt a voluntary sales restriction at one neighborhood retailer during its council meeting. Most measures passed unanimously by recorded roll call votes.

The approvals included an amended Class C license for Po' Boy Mega Alley (application to convert an existing Class D license and add a patio), a Class I license for Mesa Luna, a Class I license for Scissors and Scotch, a Class D license for Mary’s Fruits and Vegetables, and an outdoor area addition to the Class C license for Touch of Class Lounge. Council members recorded votes of 6–0 on each of the items where roll calls were taken.

Why it matters: Liquor‑license approvals affect neighborhood commerce, oversight by the city’s liquor commission and, in at least one case, neighborhood public‑safety concerns that prompted council members to seek restrictions on single‑use container sales.

Po' Boy Mega Alley: Lindsay Schuler of Croker Hawk Law, representing the applicant, described upgrades funded by a Nebraska Department of Economic Development grant and said the business “is seeking an amendment to that to a Class C liquor license and to add a patio,” noting a partnership with Metro‑area culinary training. The council suspended Rule 7 as part of the motion to approve; the roll call later recorded the motion passed 6 to 0.

Mesa Luna and Scissors & Scotch: David Houghton, counsel for the applicant for the 1258 South 13th Street site, said the applicant will operate as Mesa Luna. Dylan Pachaca appeared by Zoom to request a license for a Scissors and Scotch location in Omaha. Both applications received council approval on roll calls recorded as 6 to 0.

Mary’s Fruits and Vegetables: Maria Rivera’s daughter spoke for the applicant, saying the long‑standing neighborhood market sought a Class D license at 2410 South 13th Street to respond to customer requests. Council Member Hugg said he would support the license if the applicant would “amend it voluntarily to restrict the sale of single use liquor containers” and single cans of beer smaller than 32 ounces. The applicant agreed on the record, and the council approved an amendment to include “no sale of single containers, less than 32 ounces of beer, and 375 milliliters of liquor.” The final vote on the amended license was recorded 6 to 0.

Touch of Class Lounge: Counsel Lindsay Schuler said the business, operating as TOC LLC at 11220 Fort Street, has held a Class C license since September 2023 and requested an outdoor patio area. One public commenter asked a non‑germane question about marijuana; no opponents remained and the council approved the amendment by roll call 6 to 0.

Votes at a glance: - Item 6 – Po' Boy Mega Alley, Class C amendment and patio; motion passed 6–0 (Rule 7 suspension noted). (Proponent: Lindsay Schuler; applicant: Po' Boy Mega Alley.) - Item 7 – Mesa Luna, Class I; motion passed 6–0. (Proponent: David Houghton; applicant: Lucy Luna LLC d/b/a Mesa Luna.) - Item 8 – Scissors and Scotch, Class I; motion passed 6–0. (Proponent: Dylan Pachaca; applicant: Scissors and Scotch.) - Item 9 – Mary’s Fruits and Vegetables, Class D (amended to prohibit single containers under 32 oz beer / 375 ml liquor); amendment and final approval passed 6–0. (Applicant: Maria Rivera.) - Item 10 – Touch of Class Lounge, add outdoor area to Class C; motion passed 6–0.

Council procedure and record: Roll‑call tallies recorded by the clerk show consistent unanimous votes (6–0) on these agenda items. Where applicants appeared by Zoom the council received oral statements and, for one application, city staff noted correspondence from a council member in support. No ordinances or long‑term conditions beyond the voluntary amendment were adopted during these approvals.

The council moved next to other land‑use and planning items after completing the liquor licensing block.