Lukas Rix, owner of Prairie in Bloom, has nurtured a thriving retail business out of a passion for thrift and consignment that started in the little town of Lyons, Nebraska. Prairie in Bloom offers a handpicked assortment of vintage, new farmhouse- and industrial-style pieces of home and wall decor, florals and greenery, soy candles, seasonal decor, pillows, and linens, with the aim of bringing rural life to the city. 

Rix’s entrepreneurial spirit began blooming when he was 14, prompting him and his aunt to purchase a run-down building in downtown Lyons, restore it, and convert it into a thrift and consignment store, aptly named “Rustic Treasures.” 

Rix gained valuable business experience running Rustic Treasures for nearly three years before going away to college at Wayne State in Wayne, Nebraska. As he pursued his degree and his aunt raised her three children, co-managing Rustic Treasures proved to be a difficult juggling act, ultimately leading to their decision to sell the store. 

Despite having to move on from Rustic Treasures, Rix’s enterprising nature and passion for thrifting and consignment persisted. In 2012, that sense of irrepressible passion gave him the idea to reopen Rustic Treasures as a consignment store in Wayne and split profits 50/50 with consignors. 

“Wayne is a college town, and thrift and consignment stores offer the perfect budget for that demographic,” Rix explains. “They have high turnover of goods, and they would bring in all these lamps, fans, and other dorm-style pieces that they didn’t need after their four-year degree.” 

Instead of tossing unwanted belongings in the nearest dumpster after graduation, many students brought their items to Rustic Treasures for fellow and future Wayne State students to snap up. 

Prairie in Bloom garnered even more interest when Rix began sharing its inventory on social media. But where Rix saw the potential for greater product visibility, he also saw a supply problem; he often had only one item of a kind and no way of increasing his quantity of sought-after pieces. 

“As soon as I posted a picture of something at Rustic, 12 different ladies fell in love with it,” Rix reflects. “But I was at the mercy of whatever customers or consignors brought me. Usually, I only had one to sell because I couldn’t control my inventory.” 

Rix eventually went on to launch another Wayne-based store he named “1912 Emporium,” with a focus on farmhouse chic—a design style composed of rustic and weathered elements with a contemporary look and feel. 

The immediate success of 1912 Emporium blew Rix away. He caught the farmhouse chic trend right at its peak and began noticing regular shoppers out of Lincoln and Omaha—somewhat to his surprise due to the roughly two-hour commute. 

Wanting to bring his in-demand goods closer to these loyal customers, Rix decided it was time to open an additional store: “Prairie in Bloom.” 

In late 2018, Prairie in Bloom opened its doors at the corner of 17th and Cuming Street in the up-and-coming NoDo (North Downtown) district of Omaha. With Rix’s eye for timeless goods and antiques, Prairie in Bloom aims to provide customers with decor reminiscent of a home on the prairie. 

“A lot of people were not prepared for a home decor store to pop up in this neighborhood, but we get a ton of traffic because of the airport,” he remarks. “That has probably been the biggest aha moment of this location. 

After picking up or dropping people off at the airport, they stop here for retail therapy because we bring them happiness.” 

In 2022, Prairie in Bloom unveiled its second location in Omaha, situated at 140th and West Center Road. While every Prairie in Bloom location boasts a distinct charm, the West facility is unique in that it provides ample space to accommodate the operational facets of the business. 

Part of Prairie in Bloom’s appeal is its thoughtfully designed seasonal displays, which alternate three times per year. 

Rix offers an immersive experience for customers, where every corner holds a new surprise. Layering products, ensuring arrangements are pleasing to the eye, and creating a flow through the store are crucial components of the store’s design philosophy. 

The goal is to slow down customers, making them fully appreciate the artistry of the displays and encouraging them to take their time exploring the space. 

Another noteworthy aspect of Prairie in Bloom is their virtual designing service, where customers can bring in photos of their spaces. The team there offers personalized design recommendations, helping customers find the perfect pieces to elevate their homes. 

“Every single person that works here is a visual learner and a visual designer,” Rix reports. “We’ve never had a customer come back saying we got something wrong.” 

These virtual design consultations are free of charge, and customers return pleasantly surprised that the designers didn’t even have to set foot in the space to know exactly what it needed. 

Rix adds that the Prairie in Bloom staff “don’t only sell home decor but confidence too.” 

He also stresses the importance of supporting local businesses—particularly in challenging times— which is why around 25% of Prairie in Bloom’s inventory is sourced from local artisans and the rest from carefully curated suppliers. Rix encourages others to spend and think locally whenever possible, especially when it comes to gift giving. 

“I know that it’s really easy to point and click on the internet, but I just cannot encourage people enough to remind themselves that in the Amazon era, shops like these may not exist in the years ahead if we can’t rally in support,” Rix details. 

He strongly advocates for community-focused establishments that add depth and character to our lives and the city of Omaha. Through his own work at Prairie in Bloom, Lukas Rix styles displays that illustrate the resilience, creativity, and collective heartbeat of local businesses. ◆