Zen Coffee Faces Customer Decline Amid Streetcar Project Delays

October 4, 2025 - 07:33

Zen Coffee, a popular spot in downtown Omaha, is experiencing a significant drop in customer traffic as the ongoing streetcar utility work encounters unforeseen challenges. The Metropolitan Utilities District has identified aging underground tracks as one of the primary obstacles contributing to the delays in the project.

Business owners in the area have expressed concern over the impact of the construction on their livelihoods, as foot traffic has dwindled due to detours and road closures. Zen Coffee's management has reported a noticeable decrease in patrons, which has raised worries about the long-term viability of their business during this tumultuous period.

As the streetcar project aims to enhance public transportation and boost local commerce in the long run, the immediate effects of the construction are being felt acutely by small businesses like Zen Coffee. The community remains hopeful that the project will ultimately lead to increased accessibility and customer flow once completed.