Omaha Exploration

Drive 20 minutes north of Omaha and you’ll end up at a historic building that is now home to Too Far North in Fort Calhoun. Originally built in 1904 by the Metz Brothers Brewing Company, the two-story building at 111 N 14th Street was a saloon where the brothers could sell their fresh beer – at least on the first floor as the second floor is rumored to have been a brothel.

The saloon was run by Carl Schmidt and later Herman Wolff for a time. Its days as a watering hole came to an end when prohibition was enacted. In the years since, the building located halfway between Omaha and Blair along the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway on Highway 75 was the home to drugstore, butcher shop, store that sorted and sold apples, doctor’s office, art gallery, motorcycle shop, American Legion and a cabinet making shop among others.

In the early 2000’s Sandy and Dane Kucera attempted to grow their own grapes with hopes of starting a winery. After suffering a vineyard disaster, the Kucera’s instead pivoted from the production business to the retail business. In 2005 they bought the old Metz saloon at 111 N 14th St in Fort Calhoun. They jokingly named their business Too Far North. Within the cozy confines of the store, they offer wine and beer with an emphasis on locally produced products that also includes chocolate and cheese. It also serves as a gift shop with other items for sale including locally created crafts and antiques. In order to honor its history, Too Far North is decorated with lots of Metz memorabilia.

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