To the right of the black tiled entryway, a 45-foot solid walnut bar top invites guests to sample selections before deciding on a purchase. Starkel capitalized on that fact in a big way “to make money.” Omaha does not have a massive selection of low-price liquor, he explained. Starkel flipped his blue baseball hat backwards and radiated excited energy as he paced the space, much like a kid in a toy store. He pointed with his cigar at the huge building interior, a blank canvas waiting for an entrepreneur’s brush to transform it. “It will completely disrupt the alcohol industry.” “There is a reason I built it in the middle of the Hy-Vees,” Starkel said. ![]() He saw an advantage in the location, a destination hot spot adjacent to Oakview Mall. When the building came up in a bankruptcy auction at $900,000 for 31,000 square feet, the 37-year-old businessman jumped on it. ![]() But his financial flair has helped him seize opportunities. Some of his knowledge comes from growing up in rural Stanton, Nebraska. “I’ve been building s- my whole life,” Starkel explained, puffing on a thick Gilberto Oliva cigar. Dressed in a long-sleeved plaid shirt, blue jeans, and work boots, the businessman looked more like a construction worker. ![]() Starkel brings experience as the owner of two Thunderhead Brewing Taprooms, one in the Old Market district and the other in west Omaha. “It’ll be Brix on steroids,” owner Beau Starkel said. The concept merges a bar, events, and shopping under one roof. Wine, Beer, and Spirits planned to open its doors to liquor lovers with a soft opening the last week in April. Stuffed animals, building blocks, and action figures have been replaced with whiskeys, wines, and ales at the former Toys “R” Us store at Oakview Plaza.
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