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Sure, Omaha has had its titans who built the town, brick and mortar.

Then there were the Tom Rudloffs. People who gave Omaha a soul. People who fostered its talent.

Rudloff, who died Sunday at age 76, was more than the founder and co-owner of the former Antiquarium Bookstore in the Old Market.

He was a threadbare patron of the arts, a muse to the creative, a friend to the down and out.

His cavernous, overstuffed bookstore became Omaha’s re-creation of the 17th century salon, where the poet and politician, musician and business owner would gather in a swirl of cigarette smoke and coffee.

From this alchemy and all that grew out of it, including Antiquarium Records — came a sense of identity for artists.

Kids like Conor Oberst and Simon Joyner put down some of their musical roots at 1215 Harney St.

Omaha artist Bill Farmer had his studio in the building, and Rudloff held Farmer’s art in such high esteem he opened an art gallery in his honor.