M’s Pub is rising from the ashes bit by bit.
The owner of M’s Pub is submitting building permits to the city next week for a new kitchen and upstairs bathrooms.
Once approved, construction can start on the restaurant.
"I'm so excited I can't wait,” said Owner Ann Mellen. “I miss it terribly. I miss the people. I miss the Old Market. I miss being busy. It's just the whole thing. I've had the best job in the world."
Once the building permits are approved, crews will push full steam ahead.
"It's known by many Omahans,” Mellen said. “People from all over the country, even all over the world would make reservations."
M’s reopening is welcome news to area businesses.
"Amazing, it's a fabulous place, with all the conventions and everything coming back in, people will be thrilled to see it," said Pam Athen, Passageway Gallery member and artist.
The year without the neighborhood staple has been tough, Athen said.
"It was the heart of the Old Market,” Athen said. “When it was lost last year attendance dropped tremendously around here. We had one business go out because there was a lack of foot traffic."
She’s ready for the doors to open, confident that patrons, old and new, will come to Old Market to check out the new M’s pub.
"It has a history that will keep bringing people back,” Athen said. “People love the eclectic places and the history here. They'll keep coming back."
Support from the Old Market is helping owner Mullen get through the tough rebuilding process.
"People have been so supportive and optimistic, friendly, they couldn't be better," Mellen said.
M’s Pub could reopen as soon as June.
