Omaha's Building Boom: New Restaurants and The Mercantile Hiring
Published: June 19, 2026 | By LocalJobPage Team
Omaha, NE — The metro is in the middle of a building boom, and with it comes a wave of new jobs. A massive downtown development is on the way, and new restaurants keep opening across Omaha and over the river in Council Bluffs. If you want in on the growth, the timing is good.
Construction and trades on the big projects, plus a steady stream of kitchen, bar, and counter jobs at new eateries.
The Mercantile: a $500 million downtown bet
One of the headline projects is The Mercantile, a roughly $500 million, 20-acre mixed-use development set to bring new housing, retail, commercial space, and green space to downtown Omaha. A project that size means years of construction work first, then a long list of permanent jobs in retail, hospitality, and property operations once it opens.
Restaurants keep opening
Omaha's food scene is on a roll, with dozens of new restaurants opening across the metro in 2026. Across the river, Council Bluffs has seen a string of openings too, from 7 Brew Coffee on West Broadway to Caddy's Brunch Bar and the Hideaway Grill and Bar. Every new spot needs a full crew, front of house and back.
Why these jobs are worth it
New openings are the best time to apply, because the whole team gets hired at once. Restaurant and retail jobs are flexible and entry-level friendly, with quick advancement for people who show up and hustle. And on the construction side, the metro's project pipeline offers steady, well-paying work for the trades.
What it means for job seekers
Look for roles like:
- Restaurant jobs in Omaha, NE
- Line cook jobs in Omaha, NE
- Barista and counter jobs in Omaha, NE
- Construction jobs in Omaha, NE
- Retail jobs in Omaha, NE
How to get hired
For restaurants, applying in person still works, so stop by during slower hours with a resume and a friendly attitude. Open availability, especially nights and weekends, makes you an easy hire. For construction, lead with your trade, certifications, and reliability. The new-opening window is when hiring is hottest, so move early.
Job seekers can create a free account for Omaha hospitality and construction job alerts. Restaurants, retailers, and contractors staffing up can post jobs on LocalJobPage to reach local workers fast.
From downtown's next big development to the new tables popping up across the metro and Council Bluffs, Omaha keeps building, and every project is another door for local job seekers.