Fair Deal Cafe facts for kids

Fair Deal Cafe was a very important restaurant in North Omaha, Nebraska. It was a special place for the African American community. People even called it the "Black City Hall." This was because it was a hub for important discussions. The cafe was open from 1954 to 2003. It was located at North 24th & Burdette in the Near North Omaha neighborhood.

History of Fair Deal Cafe

The original Fair Deal Cafe opened in 1954. It played a big role in the history of North Omaha. For almost 50 years, it was a major social and cultural center. No other place in the community was quite like it.

The cafe was known as Omaha's "Black City Hall." This was because many people gathered there. Local leaders and community members held meetings. They discussed politics and planned campaigns. These campaigns were for important state and national offices.

Even senators and governors visited the cafe. Leaders like Ernie Chambers and Brenda Council met there. They talked about big issues facing the city. Famous people also came to Fair Deal Cafe. These included Bill Cosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jesse Jackson.

Fair Deal Cafe was famous for its food. They served chitlins and candied sweet potatoes. The cafe also had cool Art Deco designs. These included the lunch counter, stools, and ceiling fans. It also had a unique tin ceiling.

The cafe was close to the St. Martin de Porres Center. This center was home to the De Porres Club. This club worked against racial segregation in Omaha. Racial segregation meant keeping people of different races separate. The club was active from the 1940s to the 1970s.

In the early 1990s, Charlie Hall owned the cafe. At that time, it was thought to be Omaha's only soul food restaurant. Fair Deal Cafe closed in 2003 after new owners took over. The Omaha Economic Development Corporation bought the building in 2008.

Redeveloping the Fair Deal Area

In 2011, a big plan was announced. It was called the North Omaha Village Revitalization Plan. This plan aimed to improve the North Omaha area. The City of Omaha approved it.

As part of this plan, a new "Fair Deal Urban District" was created. The redeveloped Fair Deal Cafe would be a highlight of this district. This area is generally around North 24th, 26th, Blondo, and Burdette Streets.

The district includes several new things. There is a proposed art campus for the Union for Contemporary Arts. There is also an apartment complex for senior citizens. It has 40 units. Five single-family homes are also planned nearby.

In September 2012, details of the redevelopment were shared. A groundbreaking ceremony took place. About 50 city, neighborhood, and business leaders attended. They said this urban district was the first step in a larger vision. This vision would take many years and a lot of investment.

On December 10, 2015, the original cafe building was torn down. The Omaha Economic Development Corporation did this. They made room for the Fair Deal Marketplace. This new marketplace opened in December 2016.

Terri Sanders, from the Omaha Economic Development Corporation, explained the need. She said North Omaha was a "food desert." This means it didn't have a grocery store for over 40 years. The new marketplace would have a fresh food market. It would also have a new Fair Deal Village Café restaurant. There would be an outdoor eating area. Space for at least 12 small businesses was also included.

The new Fair Deal Cafe, LLC, opened in December 2016. It is owned by Jon Nielle Allen. It is located a bit south of the original cafe. The address is 2118 North 24th Street, Suite 101. The cafe has a modern feel but keeps old memories. It still serves favorite soul food dishes. The cafe is part of the Fair Deal Village MarketPlace. This unique structure is built from shipping containers.