MarchExecutiveDirectorColumn

Message from The Executive Director

With 2020 in the rearview mirror, and the pandemic diminishing, all signs point to a better future. Many in the hospitality industry have endured difficult financial times. The club is no different and has operated at a minimum, with lower member usage while we have done our best to keep the doors open.

One important note: While updating our bookkeeping, we had discovered a minor glitch that was affecting a few of our members. At the end of each month, some members were getting an invoice and then, in the next few days, the same members were getting a statement. We discovered this is a feature in the software. The auto invoicing has been turned off, so if you were receiving both an invoice and a statement, you should now only receive a statement during the first week of the new month. The statement will include past due and current balances.

Now I have a request for you: Start using your club! The club needs your support more than ever, and it is time to make a reservation. We will continue to open for lunch Monday through Friday and offer our Thursday night Two-for-One Prime Rib dinner.

As demand increases, so will the hours we are open.

The board and management are planning many events for the upcoming year. Two big events include the First Amendment Night and the Omaha Press Club 50th Anniversary. We will be setting dates for both of those. Other upcoming events include our All-You-Can-Eat St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage, our Easter Brunch, and two Face on the Barroom Floor events that are currently being planned.

Our calendar is wide open right now. If you need event space — whether for daytime or evening — please contact Christine at opcchristine@gmail.com. The Press Club is unique in comparison to other facilities. We require reservations and can accommodate social distancing with ease due to the layout of the restaurant. This is a value for dining out with regards to your health and safety.

The Curbside Friday Family Meal is right now our most popular option to use the club. Christine and I would like to thank all the members who continue to order these meals, as well as the volunteers who help with the curbside pickup. Christine is especially thankful for gratuities. Our Lunchtime Curbside meals can be picked up from the 10-minute parking area on Dodge Street (near the entrance of the DoubleTree Hotel), by selecting a time at the top of each hour: 11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. These meals must be ordered online from our website the day before.

For our Takeout, Delivery (within the FNBO buildings), or Curbside online ordering: https://www.toasttab.com/omahapressclub/v3

Or click on the “Order Online” link in the top left corner of our website: https://omahapressclub.com/

If dining in, the Press Club door is propped open during business hours for a “touchless” way to enter the club. Sanitizer stations are set up near each restroom.

FNBO is mandating that all employees wear face masks in common areas: lobbies, hallways, and elevators. This is also the rule for members coming to the Press Club while in the common areas.

Our goal is precautions for all, as we operate the restaurant to serve our members, FNBO employees, and building tenants. We look forward to seeing you!

To reach me during this time, email: opcdirector@gmail.com

Thank you!

See you at the club,

Steve Villamonte Sr.