Omaha Exploration

Along Calhoun Road in the Ponca Hills is an old building that might date as far back as 1880’s. While most of us probably recognize the Forgot Store as a bar and grill, it served as a convenient stop for farmers to pick up supplies and food that they may have forgotten for decades. 

Florence real estate man Claude Nethaway is said to have owned the store at the turn of the 20th century. While I don’t think he was the original owner, he is the person responsible for naming it the Forgot Store. He apparently got the name from two signs outside of Tom Price’s Saloon across the creek. Those traveling to town were confronted with a sign that read “First Chance” while on the return trip home, they saw the second sign that said “Last Chance.” 

Claude stocked his store with essentials like flour, sugar, eggs, tea, coffee, cigars, lock or even equipment necessary for farming such as a hoe or a spade. Years after selling the store in 1906, he was suspected of murdering his wife, Nellie, while blaming a black “tramp” Charles Smith who just happened to be in the area. He was also part of the mob that lynched Will Brown in 1919.

Its next owner, C. F. Erickson, was said to have made the store which was surrounded by trees a very attractive place. He installed a soda fountain and even served ice cream in the summer. In 1912 a two-story addition was added to the front of the building. The upper story was a large hall that was operated by the Ponca Improvement club. They used it to entertain and to hold dances for young people with the goal of keeping them on the farm.  

The building had become a roadhouse by the early 1920’s according to North Omaha History. A police officer that was a partner in the business that served as a flophouse was apparently suspended for his involvement. It returned to good standing by 1925 when Dr. Harvey Pritchard and his wife returned it to its original purpose. Before moving, he practiced medicine in Wisner for 25 years. He also stocked his store with items people often forgot including shoestrings, collar buttons, mouse traps, coffee, marbles, etc. He also operated a filling station from here. After he passed away in 1927, his wife Louise continued to run it until her own death in 1929.

After that the store was run by Ed Larson and J. J. Chambers. Around this time, most references in old newspaper archives simply refer to the Forgot Store as a landmark for people traveling to other places. Other articles reference all of the accidents that occurred at the “Forgot Store curve” in the road.

At some point after that Wendell and Marge Hunt took over and owned through at least the early 1970’s. In 1968 they built a bar in the back that they originally called the Ponca Valley Bar. The front of the building continued to operate as the Forgot Store.

Respected members of the community, John and Darlene Hickey bought it in 1975 and operated the building which may have included a meat counter by this time. They closed the store in 1984 and referred to the bar as the Forgot Store. John served in the Marine Corp during the Korean War and volunteered at the Ponca Hills Fire Department.

George, Mike and Alice Cullen took over the Forgot Store and operated it for 28 years. Like John before them, George and Mike also served in the Marines. They were also very active in the community hosting a of fundraisers to help the less fortunate. Mike even opened the North Omaha Boxing Club to keep kids off the streets. The Forgot Store also served as a temporary home to Finicky Frank’s before it moved to its own building down the road.

Its current owner, Junior Mathiesen, was a cabinet maker by trade and also owned the Anchor Inn. When he took over in 2018, he brought with him his popular and intoxicating Watermelon drink with him from the Anchor. He is also responsible for freshening the place up and changing the menu to include many hand-crafted items. He also created the bar and tap stand behind it. Today the Junior’s Forgot Store seats 150 and has a patio with its own bar out back along with a fireplace. 

Interestingly, the longtime Ponca Hills fixture is where the 1975 number one Billboard hit “Convoy” was written by Chip Davis and Bill Fries. The hit song was performed by Bill Fries as the character C. W. McCall. The song inspired a movie featuring Kris Kristofferson and Ali McGraw. Chip donated the gold record from the hit song to the Forgot Store where it remains on display inside. The North Omaha bar and grill remains a popular spot despite being off the beaten path. It also hosts benefits for multiple causes and remains an active meeting place for the community.

Have you been to The Forgot Store? If so, please share your experience. I’d like to hear what you have to say so feel free to leave a comment. Until next time, keep exploring!

Bonus pics

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