Taco shop owner wins Spirit of Midtown Award

Midtown facts Destination Midtown is a partnership between residents, businesses, educational institutions and organizations in an area bounded by 24th Street on the east, Saddle Creek Road on the west, Center Street on the South and Cuming Street on the north. UNMC has played an active role in the establishment and ongoing activities of Destination Midtown. The mission of Destination Midtown is to create a premier urban experience where people want to live, work, shop and play. The vision is to establish a nationally-known, vibrant and distinct urban environment that promotes economic development opportunities, advances neighborhood goals and forges unique partnerships. More information can be found at www.destinationmidtown.org.

The first Spirit of Midtown award was presented to Brad Bogard, owner of California Tacos & More, over the lunch hour on Dec. 11.

“This award recognizes the commitment, entrepreneurial spirit and quality customer service Brad and his employees have demonstrated,” Destination Midtown Executive Director Tawanna Black said to the numerous friends, family and regular customers who crowded into the corner restaurant at 3235 California St.

Bogard was selected to receive the award because he embodies the spirit of Midtown through his continued investment in the area business community and active involvement in the surrounding neighborhood, Black said.

A member of the Gifford Park Neighborhood Association, Bogard has worked hard with his neighbors to keep the corner of 33rd and California streets an inviting area in which to live, work, shop and play.

“It takes time and work, but it’s well worth the effort,” Bogard said.

“What’s really neat is the people in the neighborhood recognize the hard work it takes, even the younger ones,” Bogard said. “Recently this local kid came in and said to me, ‘If I could just do what you did and find something to work hard on.’ I was honored by his words.”

California Tacos & More has become a neighborhood standby just like his grandfather’s pharmacy used to be. The building has been in Bogard’s family since 1914 when his grandfather built it, he said.

“It’s been a part of my life, something I hope to pass down to my own son,” Bogard said.

The positive impact Bogard has had on the surrounding neighborhood is evident in the pride others have taken in their own businesses and homes, said David Brown, CEO of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

“When you have a stable business like this, one in which the owner continues to reinvest in it, that gives the rest of the neighborhood stability too,” Brown said.