The ‘Not-So-Secret’ Gardens In Little Bohemia
Tucked away behind an unassuming gate in Little Bohemia, lies an impressive courtyard with a 30-year-old Wisteria, a Pagoda tree, pear tree, apple tree, four different types of vines, two different ivies, a beautiful Magnolia, and an array of different kinds of flowers and grasses; all along old brick paths that lead up to a main house and a guest house. And that’s during the current season where, with its freshly shorn foliage, the garden more closely resembles the one in “The Secret Garden” before springtime. In full bloom, the garden’s true colors are revealed in lush greens and glorious blooms that snake around the courtyard’s foot paths.
Located at 1424 S 13th Street, both houses onsite were built in 1879. The main house, which sits on 13th Street frontage, originated as a Czechoslovakian dance hall before being converted to a popular restaurant and bar. In 1993 the property was purchased by an artist and local developer who transformed the main building into a home and the parking lot into a 5,000 square foot garden. And for its current use, the space has been transformed into an intimate venue for weddings, yoga events, corporate workshops, wellness retreats, and high-end food and wine events.
And that’s just the beginning for the location’s latest iteration, which is now known as The Bohemian Gardens.
Jeff Pappas co-owns The Bohemian Gardens with Craig Page and Dustin Hinkle, and Pappas said he is excited for spring of 2023, the true opening for the space. Up until now, ownership has been navigating the mixed-use space and how it is categorized for city regulations. The Bohemian Gardens sleeps 22 people between both buildings, which makes it a great space for boutique weddings and the wedding parties’ associated activities, such as the rehearsal dinner and wedding photos. Summer and fall dates in 2023 are already filling up with wedding bookings.
The unique flow of space for party guests creates a lasting impression and a cool atmosphere for non-traditional events.
“We’ve had so many inquiries, it’s insane, and it’s just really been word of mouth,” Pappas said.
Pop-up events, like the one Lotus House of Yoga had jointly with the Nourished Collective in the space, create a powerful cross-promotion for the companies involved. Over the summer, The Bohemian Gardens hosted a Summer Series which included upscale wine and food events. Wines were curated by Level 3 Advanced Sommelier Matt Brown, the menu was created and prepared by Chef Joel Hassanali, operations were run by Elizabeth Wallace, and live music was provided by Solo Cellist David Downing. The upscale dining events drew attention from the Omaha Food Lovers group, which has over 88,000 followers.
For Pappas, the fascinating history of the space is intertwined with its future. Neighbors and people who worked on the building have shared memories with its new owners. Stories of big parties from when it was a residential space in the early 90s exist along old signage found on the property from when it was a restaurant decades prior to that. A previous owner had a fondness for Cuban cigars, and so Pappas has decided to name the newly created bar area the “Cuba Room” to pay homage to the origin.
That same mingling of past and present is evident in artistic touches in the space. The mosaic tile work in the entrance of the guest house was created by the previous owner, an artist. Current neighbor and artist Deb Armitage created the glass features in the state-of-the-art kitchen that features a six-range oven in the main house. Ironwork in The Bohemian Gardens looks similar to ironwork in a tiny garden just off of the Passageway in the Old Market, hinting at the possibility of a shared past.
“The main thing is that everybody who steps through that gate, their mouth goes agape, and they just take in the scenery,” Pappas said. “It’s what everybody does. It’s awesome. Walking through and seeing that ardor is just such a joy to watch. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s the truth,” Pappas admits.
Pappas said despite walking through the gate most days, he still marvels at the view. On nice days, he will work on his laptop in the courtyard, prop the gate open, and chat with whomever is curious enough to pop their head in.
A tour of the space from Pappas reveals the many ways the space can be changed to suit the mood of an event and its specific timing: the furniture can be removed from the main house to accommodate a larger event’s flow of traffic. The future “Cuba Room” is separated from the courtyard by garage doors, and the adjacent living room of the main house could host a roaring fire to serve as a warm-up spot as guests enjoy both the indoor and outdoor elements of The Bohemian Gardens.
In the main house, small half walls create unique sleeping nooks occupied by bunk beds, perfect for family reunions. The master loft space opens up further still with metal rungs on the wall that lead to a smaller space with a door that exits onto the roof. It’s a space that is both large and intimate. Indoor and outdoor. Modern and yet rich with history.
“As far as atmosphere, nobody’s going to beat this place,” Pappas said. “But we can do 15 other things as well. That’s what I think is really fun about this place. If we do one type of event once a week, another twice a week, some of them once a month, some of them once a quarter, so they don’t get stale, then I think it’s just going to be so much fun.”
To learn more about The Bohemian Gardens or to book an event visit www.thebohemiangardens.com.
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