This is the garden patio which is a perfect backdrop for a ceremony or cocktail reception. The Omaha skyline in the background and greenery in the courtyard make it a picture perfect spot!Photo: Tiny Luxe Weddings @tinyluxeweddings⁠ — This is the garden patio which is a perfect backdrop for a ceremony or cocktail reception. The Omaha skyline in the background and greenery in the courtyard make it a picture perfect spot!
Photo: Tiny Luxe Weddings @tinyluxeweddings⁠

If there are two things I love - it’s Omaha history and wedding venues - and Cafe Postale is both.

Now the Rail and Commerce Building - it was once the Omaha Post Office Burlington Station built in 1926.

The building was used as a postal annex for roughly 50 years and then it sat vacant for almost 40 years. Boyd Jones purchased the building in 2015 and took on the major renovation, but keeping all of the historical elements intact.

The building is now home to the headquarters for Boyd Jones, Warren Distribution, and various coworking tenants in Commerce Village located on the lower level.

In 2019, Commerce Village wanted to expand into offering a café and event venue, thus Café Postale!! Café Postale is located in the Rail & Commerce Building nestled in Omaha’s Little Italy neighborhood. Located just steps from the Old Market historic district, the space blends modern concepts with reimagined historic elements that nod to the building’s past as a postal railway transport hub. The careful preservation of historic features like the vintage vault door impart a sophisticated ambience to the venue. Featuring a flexible café space and brick-lined terrace, Café Postale offers the opportunity to host a variety of events including corporate retreats, intimate weddings and milestone celebrations.

About the Event Spaces:

For all events, guests are able to have access to all three of the event spaces included in their rental. These spaces are categorized as Café Postale, the Northside and Garden Patio.

Café Postale invites guests to soak in the historic ambiance of the former Burlington Mail Terminal. Featuring a historic vault door, restored observation gallery and archival photographs, Café Postale exudes vintage charm and invites guests to step back in time. They also have a day to day café featuring locally sourced breakfast, lunch and coffee options!
The Northside event space, originally built as a brick street used to load mail trucks, connects your event with the rich history of the building. Aglow with natural light and stunning downtown views, your guests are sure to experience the sophisticated ambiance of the space.

The garden patio is the ideal outdoor space for your event. The patio overlooks the active railway and invites your guests to soak up the outdoors in an urban oasis. With access to both Café Postale and the Northside event space, your guests can enjoy fresh air throughout your event.

Fun Facts About the Space:

The Brick Street: It’s hard to imagine that the event space was a street that ran through the length of the building. Designing this space was a challenge because the street wasn’t level and ramped up and through the rest of the building. They were able to maintain the character of the space but make it more functional through some creative problem solving.

The Vault Door: The vault is a the centerpiece of the café and gives you a sense of the building’s historic character. Story goes that the managers would use the observation gallery to get into the vault and drink whiskey and smoke cigars without anyone knowing they were in there.
Elevator Door: The building originally featured two freight elevators. During the renovation, one of the freight elevator shafts was closed off and is now the elevator lobby on each floor. When you enter the building you’re immediately greeted by the restored elevator doors and immediately step back in time.
End Grain Woodblock Floor: The building featured a unique end grain woodblock floor but it was damaged beyond repair and had to be removed from the building. The wood blocks were soaked in toxic creosote which allowed for mailcarts to roll over it more smoothly. Today the end grain wood block floors have been meticulously recreated to give warmth to the space.
Etched windows: Almost all of the original windows were removed and replicated during the renovation but some interior windows were restored and left in place. However, the windows used security wire in the glass which is now outlawed as it can’t be broken during an emergency. The original window frames were outfitted with new glass and the security wire was hand etched into the glass to retain the original look.
Hand Painted Signage: Several hand painted signs have been restored and still feature prominently in the building. Many are directional or safety signs remaining from its time as a postal facility. Each sign reminds visitors of the original use of the space and the many employees who have worked in the building.

This place is amazing! For more information or if you want to book - contact my girl Emily Carlson at emily@commercevillageomaha.com. And to see more - visit their website at www.cafepostaleomaha.com