Lincoln small business owner speaks on the impact of new local businesses

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Downtown Lincoln is seeing a change, with more local businesses showing that the Capital City can be a place of opportunity.

While some businesses have left, new ones like 10:02 Coffee — located at 18th and O streets — are bringing energy back to the heart of the city.

Tori Ryan, Manager at 10:02 Coffee, said it takes a mix of community support and fresh ideas to keep that part of the city growing.

“The businesses I see leaving downtown are some of the bigger ones, the bigger franchises and chains like that,” she said. “I think this is actually the right time for us to have a local business like this.”

Ryan said the location isn’t by coincidence, it’s all by divine planning.

“They actually worked on this building for several years, and finally, the Lord provided it,” she said.

For many college students, 10:02 isn’t just a place to grab a drink — it’s become part of their campus experience.

“I’ve been coming to City Light since I was a freshman in high school and so when they made the transition over, it was pretty obvious to me that I would be going to their coffee shop too,” said UNL student Bethany Nickels.

Students said they keep coming back to show support.

“I love supporting local businesses, especially coffee shops,” said UNL student Abigail Hodges. “I think coffee tastes better when it’s coming from a small business.”

And for 10:02, that’s the point: To invest in people and in the future of downtown Lincoln.

“Businesses are definitely a key for it, I think that’s what Lincoln was built on,” Ryan said.