Countryside Village, located at 87th and Pacific Street, was Nebraska’s first planned shopping center and it first opened in August 1953. As the years have passed, Countryside Village has been owned and operated by three generations of the Myers family, and is now managed by Mariana Myers. The-30,000-square foot center is nestled into Omaha’s Westside neighborhood and provides a variety of stores and restaurants.
Three current sophomores at Westside High School, Caroline Davies, Lila Havens, and Evi Schneider, frequently stop by Countryside Village outside of school. Many students do this and it has become a part of the Westside High School experience and culture.
“My favorite store in Countryside is probably Village Grinder. It is so cute and cozy there and the drinks and food are so good!” Davies said.
Havens andSchneider both agreed that their favorite place to eat at Countryside Village is Mootz.
“They have a lot of variety and it is perfect for dinner with my family or getting lunch with my friends,” Schneider said.
“It’s a really convenient place that l can go to during my lunch mods with friends! The pizza is also really good there (and cookies),” Havens added.
With Countryside Village being around for more than seven decades, several generations have witnessed its ups and downs. When the parents of current high school students attended Westside, Countryside Village looked entirely different than it does today.
Emily Lauritzen, a 1998 Westside High School graduate, spent her childhood years growing up in District 66. She still lives in the district with her husband and three children who go to school in Westside. Countryside Village has been around throughout her whole life and she has many fond memories of the shops of her childhood.
“I grew up in the Swanson neighborhood and when we wanted to go do something on our own, we would ride our bikes to Countryside Village and we’d say ‘Can we go to the pharmacy?’ (…) That was where we went to get candy even through high school (…) that was the hot spot for me as a kid,” Lauritzen said.
Over the years, Countryside Village has also been home to hair and beauty salons, not just shops and restaurants.
“Russell’s was a mainstay for getting your hair and nails done. If I ever had to get my mom a last minute gift, I got her a manicure at Russell’s for sure,” Lauritzen said.
With Countryside Village being around for so long, it’s bound to experience some dips in commerce; however, it has rebounded.
Ellie Hellman, a 2018 Westside High School graduate, shares what Countryside was like during her time in high school.
“Countryside was mostly just Starbucks or Village Grinder when I was in school. The main reason people went to Countryside was to get coffee or wait for their ride. Otherwise the other businesses seemed very mellow (…) I think a huge change for countryside was when Made in Omaha opened. It brought a lot of new customers to the center who then shopped at the other local businesses. Also the closing of Starbucks and opening of Saddle Creek Breakfast Club, has brought a more small-business vibe to Countryside which I think the community loves!” Hellman said.
Another aspect of Countryside Village that makes it so integral to the community is its connection to many family-run businesses. For example, Carol Copple owned Adam Whitney Gallery from around 1988 to 2007. The gallery was located where Mootz is now, and sold fine art and jewelry. Liz Liakos owned Market Basket, a popular restaurant next door. Three granddaughters of both Copple and Liakos—Hannah Liakos, Mallory Liakos, and Lauren Copple—are current Westside High School students
It’s clear that the community, over many generations, appreciates that their neighborhood shopping center is made up of local small businesses and serves as a gathering place after school or before football games.
“[Countryside Village is] a place where I’ve grown into an adult (…) A place for all generations,” Lauritzen said.
