Omaha Exploration

Before it became the House of Z, the 1,600 sq ft brick building on the southwest corner of 37th and F Street belonged to Agnes Miller. Built in 1923 according to the assessor, she sold it to Adolph Skibinski just two years later. The Polish immigrant opened a grocery store in the building along with his wife Rose. Just five years later he sold the building at 3701 F Street to Zygfryd (Ziggy) Zagozda.

Like Adolph, Ziggy was a Polish immigrant who worked in the meat packing plants. His wife Mary took over the grocery business. I believe the family also lived in the building until at least 1934 at which point they moved into a house at 4108 S 37th St which sat directly behind the business. While Ziggy received a permit to raise and repair the house, he did not get permission to move it to a new foundation. He was caught while the building was halfway between the new and old foundations. After appearing in court, it seems they allowed him to move it. Perhaps the move provided the family with a little extra breathing room. 

When prohibition ended Ziggy pivoted to the bar business by opening Zyggie’s Bar. After his daughter Bernice got married, son-in-law James Kankovsky took over the business briefly before losing his liquor license later for improper operation. My guess is that he remained open on Sundays which was a no-no in Omaha at the time. Ziggy reclaimed the bar and eventually moved it to 4802 L St.

At that point, Joe Galas opened Joe’s bar followed by Stanley’s Bar which was operated by Stanislaus (Stanley) Placzek. In 1965 Charles Buller and James Rezal opened their B & B Bar. Just two years later it was sold again, this time to Andrew Kochanowicz who opened Andy’s Tavern. From what I’ve gathered he originally opened the bar at 4516 S 27th St around 1929. Andy passed away in 1956 at which point his son Bill continued to run the bar.

Around 1967 Bill relocated the bar to 3701 F St renamed it Andy’s Place. After Bill passed away in 1986, Norbert Zimmerer and his wife, Grace Bidder opened the bar we recognize today: Andy’s Bar. Grace, it seems, was the matriarch of the South Omaha Bar and was affectionately known as “Mama Z” by regulars. Eventually the Zimmerer’s son, Tom, took over operation of the bar and I believe he continues to run it today. 

This one was a little more difficult to piece together as the lowkey grocery store turned bar hasn’t attracted much attention over the year. The exceptions being a review by “Scuba” Steve Gates formerly of Hit That Dive and recognition of Andy’s Bar as one of the best neighborhood taverns by The Reader in 2012.

As it approaches its 50th anniversary, this classic yet humble bar remains true to its SOB roots. This is another old-school establishment that is cash only and while it doesn’t have an ATM on site, it makes up for it with some of friendliest bartenders in town to mention affordable drinks, cleanliness and friendly conversation. Andy’s claims that “after you stay for a while, it’ll become a home away from home for life”. You will, in fact, feel at home almost at once upon walking in. 

By the way, if the last name sounds familiar, it’s because of former Husker fullback C.J. Zimmerer, the grandson of Norbert and Grace. It was C.J.’s idea to have a pediatric brain cancer patient named Jack Hoffman run for a touchdown during the 2013 Spring Game. C.J. also served as his lead blocker for the 69-yard run. His jersey hangs on the wall of the bar to this day.

Please feel free to comment to share your thoughts and memories.

Until next time, keep exploring!

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