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Omaha council conditions The Deuce liquor license, asks owner to limit hours in first year
Summary
After public testimony and questions about past problems at the location, Omaha City Council approved a conditioned liquor license for The Deuce on North 24th Street, requiring an initial Class I (on-premise only) restriction and a 1 a.m. closing during the first year; the amendment passed unanimously.
Willie Stennis, who identified himself as owner and operator of The Deuce LLC, told the Omaha City Council that he intends to open a four‑floor cultural entertainment venue at 2311 North 24th Street featuring live music, poetry and curated cocktails. Stennis said he plans general hours of 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and described plans for private security, a doorman and contracting off‑duty Omaha police to reduce neighborhood impacts.
Council members pressed Stennis on a history of calls at that location under prior ownership and on concrete steps he would take to avoid repeat problems. “I live about a five‑minute walk away,” Stennis said, describing his intention to be an on‑site, present operator who would work with neighbors and pastors and invest in cameras and security. Council member Melton, who chairs the law committee, told Stennis she wanted the business to succeed but sought extra safeguards because the site had a long record of police calls under the prior operator. “I really want you to be successful,” Melton said while urging a trial period with restrictions.
Melton and other council members proposed — and put on the record — two conditions for the council’s recommendation: that Stennis accept a Class I liquor license (on‑premise sales only) and that the venue close at 1 a.m. during an initial testing year, with the possibility of returning to later hours if operations proved successful. Stennis indicated he would consider the change and suggested limited exceptions for weekend nights if the council were amenable to a staged approach.
Council member Goodwin described similar experience with the corridor and said she would support the license only within the parameters Melton described. The council voted on the amendment and then on the license as amended; the roll calls were recorded and the measures passed unanimously.
What happens next: The council approved the license as amended on the record; the council indicated that a return to a later closing hour or a different class of license could be considered after a year if the business demonstrates it is operating in keeping with neighborhood expectations. The applicant said he would continue neighborhood outreach and implement operational controls discussed at the hearing.
