OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — "If you wanted to come in here and buy a bag of regular Lay's potato chips, you're not going to find it, but if you wanted to come in and buy a bag of the chicken and waffles, we got it."
All that nostalgia candy and unique snacks, you can find at Smej's Snacks and More according to owner Marty Rosenstein.
"There's glass bottle pop, we have all those. We have Dr. Pepper in glass bottle pop - a lot of people don't carry that," Rosenstein said. "So it's just new things like that - there's a new Sprite that's with ginger which we have."
The unique shop is run by Rosenstein and his sister Jan. They've had the business since 1997, but have been at their location near 120th and Blondo since 2012.
Since COVID-19, business has been hit or miss.
"Business has been decent, it's not great, but the thing is, we feed off of these office buildings around here and the restaurants. And when they're slow, we're slow."
They're cleaning the store even more, and allowing customers to still come in and shop, but only with 10 people or less inside at a time.
They are staying busy with some projects and post new treats and products daily on their Facebook page.
"We made some Easter egg baskets and took them to some people," Rosenstein said. "We were doing things for kids parties, and different things, and we have a popcorn from Gibbon, Nebraska, and it's a small family operation, and they make 100 flavors and we carry about 60 flavors."
The siblings say they will stay open with the same schedule to serve their returning customers.
"I figure you know, if people are out and stuff, let's be here for them, and if people don't all get our Facebook posts, how are they going to know? There's nothing worse than making a trip to a business and it's closed."
They have hopes of also bringing in new customers.
"100% of nothing is nothing, and that's the way I see it. I mean, and somebody will come in and be like, 'I'm sorry it's 5 to 7, oh I'm sorry you're going to close,'" Rosenstein said. "I'll stay open as long as you want me to, you know. And that's the way I look at it. I have to pay rent, I have to do utilities, and if nothing's coming in, nobody's going to pay it. And a lot of people say, 'Well wouldn't you be better off just closing and staying home?' No! I mean, if somebody comes in, like the gentleman that was just here, delivers mats next door. The UPS guy comes in, the Amazon guy comes in, the mailman comes in, they all buy stuff. "
LOCATION: 2060 N. 117th Ave. Omaha, NE 68164
HOURS: Monday - Friday: 10AM - 7PMSaturday: 10AM - 4PM
ADJUSTED SERVICES: Curbside, business as usual with 10 people or less inside building
