Head to the heart of the Midwest to shop the cobblestone streets and warehouses in Omaha’s Old Market district.

A revitalized downtown, rave-worthy restaurants, an emerging music scene, and plenty of shopping have turned once-sleepy Omaha, Nebraska, into a first-rate destination. Our Home Design Editor, Kathy Barnes, kicks off her holiday shopping with these favorite stops.

Niche
The leather chairs and artwork feed the downtown condo crowd, but country pickers can find great pieces, too. “The colorful pendant lights and pillows are great here,” says Kathy, holding one of her favorites.
1109 Howard St., 402/344-4399; nichegifts.com

Room 
This funky shop sells a mix of mid-century items. Room is known locally as the best place in town to find a unique gift, so bring your list.
421 S. 11th St., 402/342-7666; roomomaha.com

Délice 
This corner café is the perfect place to plot your shopping course over a chocolate-mousse cup and cappuccino. Or stop for a slice of quiche at lunch. Come early for the best selection, says manager Holly Engdahl. “Once they’re gone, they’re gone.”
1206 Howard St., 402/342-2276; deliceeuropeanbakery.com

Nouvelle Eve 
This girly store features only New York and Los Angeles labels, plus a few local jewelry makers. It has a good selection of flirty party dresses for the upcoming holiday season. “It’s also a terrific place to find a gift for your best girlfriend,” Kathy says.
1102 Howard St., 402/345-4811; nouvelleeve.com

Jackson Street Booksellers 
“I could lose days picking through the shelves,” says Kathy of this secondhand bookstore. You can find out-of-print books and first editions, or browse the healthy section of signed books.
1119 Jackson St., 402/341-2664

Second Chance Antiques  
You have to love an antiques store that has a cat or two roaming about. This jam-packed store may seem daunting at first, but it’s well organized for collectors. You can find everything from glassware to antique toys and postcards. Downstairs is filled with vintage clothes.
1116 Jackson St., 402/346-4930

More must-stops
Iron Decor and More
Iron stars and other accents for home and garden fill this store. It’s a great place to find a section of iron fencing or a one-of-a-kind wine rack.
1120 Jackson St., 402/346-6123; irondecorandmore.com

Vignettes
Gail Kats fills her shop with handmade bedding that she stitches from vintage textiles.
1125 Jackson St., 402/342-9397

La Buvette
Unwind at the end of your day with a glass of wine and a hunk of cheese and bread at this true French bistro. Take home a bottle or two of your favorite French wines from their inventory.
511 S. 11th St., 402/344-8627

Tannenbaum Christmas Shop
To get in the holiday spirit, pop into this year-round Christmas store in the Old Market and buy yourself a keepsake ornament. This shop is not for the claustrophobic, but if it has to do with the holidays, you’ll likely find it here.
1007 Howard St., 402/345-9627; otannenbaum.com
 
The Hot Shops
This old brick mattress factory just north of the Old Market is filled with art studios, galleries, and showrooms selling one-of-a-kind art. It’s “hot” because artists blow glass and use kilns in the building.
1301 Nicholas St.; hotshopsartcenter.com
 
Le Marché
The mother-daughter team that runs this adorable shop bill their store as “Paris on the prairie,” and that’s exactly what it feels like. They sell casual, yet sophisticated slipcovered furniture, chandeliers, jewelry, and vintage items for the home.
8710 Countryside Plaza in Countryside Village, 402/614-3130; lemarcheomaha.com

McMillan’s Antiques
This quirky corner antique shop doesn’t have a large sign, and you may drive by before realizing it’s there. You’ll find a nice selection.
5002 Leavenworth St., 402/556-2522