Popular Little Italy shop to close after six years; owner cites economy

Sheelytown Market, a small shop run by a couple and two employees in Little Italy, announced Thursday will close its doors at the end of August.

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Sheelytown Market in Little Italy to close after six years; owner cites economy

OMAHA, Neb. —

Sheelytown Market, a small shop run by a couple and two employees in Little Italy, announced Thursday will close its doors at the end of August.

Known for houseplants and locally crafted items, the market opened early during the pandemic, Owner Amelia Rosser told KETV, initially operating at 35th and Center Street before moving to its current location near 10th and Hickory about a year and a half ago.

“We’ve worked really hard,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of memories.”

Rosser said inflation and rising gas prices have weighed heavily on her and her customers.

“Their wages are not keeping up with the cost of inflation,” she said.

She noted that houseplants and locally crafted items are increasingly seen as luxuries that fewer people are finding room in the budget for.

Visitors to Sheelytown Market describe the shop as more than just a place to buy things.

“They try to form a sense of community inside of our community,” said Mykie Bowman, “so that people have a place to go and have the chance to meet others that they hadn’t met before.”

Bowman also sells handmade clay dolls at maker’s markets, including those hosted by Sheelytown.

“A lot of people do just come out (to maker’s markets) to look because they can’t really get anything, because it seemed more like an extra expense for them,” Bowman said.

Bowan also said she’s noticed fewer people coming into the coffee shop she works at this year.

Rosser said she has “incredible concerns” about the “compounding” impact of a worsening economy.

While Rosser is uncertain about her next steps, she also voiced optimism.

“We’ve had just a really a lot of fun,” she said. “And I don’t see them ending. We’re just changing.”

Before closing, Sheelytown Market will host a “Granny Bash” on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 4-6 p.m. It’ll feature a maker’s market with food, and lessons from the local artists selling their creations.

“We want to highlight the grannies that we’re all going to become and celebrate us,” Rosser said.

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