Two major events, the College World Series and the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials are coming to Omaha later this month.
One part of town is hoping it is a turning point in what has been a down year.
Businesses in the Old Market have been reeling ever since the fire destroyed M’s Pub in January.
“We definitely need the business it's just like the fire has affected it,” said City Limits store sale associate Emma Marr.
Marr said ever since the fire, people don’t know if the store is open or not because of a fence next to the building blocking the sidewalk next to where the fire tore through the neighboring building.
“So that kind of blocks things off, and people get confused if we are open or closed, so it slowed things down for a bit,” said Marr.
Across the street from the battered building is Omaha Prime restaurant, their business along with others feels the loss in revenue.
“It did affect pretty much every business in the downtown, Old Market area,” said Omaha Prime restaurant owner Mo Tajvar.
“For a while it hurt the business in the Old Market, a lot because people just didn't want to come to a depressing place,” said Jam’s chef Shawn Phifer.
But with the fire in the past, many businesses are looking towards the much needed Summer business boom.
“It will be nice to have people walking and really feel like we are back to normal,” said Marr.
“It's Christmas in July,” said Tajvar.
The College World Series starts on June 18th; the swim trials start on June 26th.
