Kansas.com: Carrie Rengers

Lowe's is now open in Central Park Place

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

Unlike a lot of markets where new stores have been put on hold, Wichita now has another large national retail store.

Lowe's at Central Park Place on Maize Road had a soft opening this weekend (the grand opening is Friday), and there are other retailers on the way.

"The good news is... this was a site that Lowe's decided to open," says developer Brad Saville of Landmark Commercial Real Estate. "They had stores on their list that they decided not to open."

Saville and Christian Ablah of Classic Real Estate own Eastside Investments, which is developing the 26-acre Central Park Place across from SuperTarget at NewMarket Square.

They're in negotiations with several other businesses that could locate at the center next year.

Appraiser will have it all under one roof

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

It looks like the Sedgwick County Appraiser's Office is going to get a new home, but it won't be at Twin Lakes Shopping Center, which it was eyeing earlier this year.

If county commissioners approve it, the office will move to 21,000 square feet at Max Cole's Office This space at the former Wichita Mall at 4031 E. Harry.

"We're hoping to move sometime next year," says appraiser Mike Borchard. "We're going to be able to consolidate three different offices in one space."

Appraiser offices are now at the second floor of the county courthouse, 434 N. Market and 940 N. Tyler Road.

Borchard says the consolidation means administrative offices will be in the same place as the appraisal operations, which he says should lead to better communication.

Gift shop reopening in former Jungle Toy

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:40 CST

After a short hiatus, Jan Green is bringing her Muse-E-Yum store back to Wichita, this time to Douglas and Rock.

She's opening Wednesday at Douglas Place Center where Jungle Toy used to be.

"We kind of just happened across this, and it just really felt right," Green says.

She closed her last Muse-E-Yum store in August, a year after moving from Old Town Square to the former TradeWinds space near Central and Woodlawn.

That space was 2,500 square feet. The new store is not quite 700 square feet.

After tragedy, Barrier's to stay open

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 01:40 CST

Mary Ellen Barrier never expected to work at her husband's family's jewelry store, but then decades ago she happily joined Barrier's Jewelry to work a few days a week in bridal and decor.

Now, she finds herself at the helm of the store after the death last month of her son, 57-year-old Jay Barrier, who died of complications from a fall.

"I've been over here constantly -- as much as possible," Barrier says. "We have managed to get the store decorated for Christmas."

In fact, she's wearing a vibrant Christmas red sweater.

"That's for courage, you know," she says. "You have to keep courage."

Kansas Caterpillar dealers may merge

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:45 CST

There's a chance Wichita's Foley Equipment Co. and -- or -- Martin Tractor Co. in Topeka will grow.

"We are considering combining our companies," says Foley president Ann Konecny. "I'm not able to discuss what that combination would look like at this time."

Foley and Martin are the two primary Caterpillar dealers in the state.

The 65-year-old Foley Equipment was formerly known as Foley Tractor Co. It's larger than Martin Tractor, though a Martin spokesman says the companies have been similarly sized through the years.

Both companies have locations across the state for parts and service.

Business leaders say they support Buchanan

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:40 CST

There's not exactly an official group, but a number of business leaders are vocal in their support of Sedgwick County manager WilliamBuchanan for Wichita city manager.

"Without equivocation, I think Bill Buchanan is absolutely the best candidate we could possibly find to be city manager," says Russ Meyer, chairman emeritus of Cessna Aircraft Co.

"I would be glad to say that in stronger words, but I can't think of them....

"Everybody that I have talked to has voiced a similar sentiment."

J.V. Lentell of Intrust Bank agrees.

Menards looks on east side, as well as west

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:37 CST

Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement store, is getting serious about an east-side location in addition to the potential one at 37th North and Maize Road.

The second Menards likely will locate behind Johnny Carino's near K-96 and Webb Road.

"They are under contract for approximately 19 acres," says developer Christian Ablah.

"It's a big deal."

That leaves about 8 acres for him to develop in that area, which is already home to Carino's, Ted's Montana Grill and a Candlewood Suites hotel.

Key takes a hit; will lay off 3% of workers

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

A tough economic climate for clients of Key Construction has led to some reduced business for the firm. "Our company's extremely healthy, and we're responding to the market by making a few minor changes," says executive vice president Pat Ayars.

That includes laying off nine employees, which is less than 3 percent of the company's work force.

Some clients are also delaying or stopping projects.

The biggest thing on hold is a $23 million deal with Nylo Hotels for two projects in Texas and Overland Park. Key had completed $7 million of that work when Nylo lost its funding.

"Due to the credit crunch and their association with Lehman Bros., they are currently replacing that capital, and we expect to be released to get going on those projects... in the next 30 days," Ayars says.

New by the zoo: Storage condos

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

For several years, Steve Cox has had 20 acres at his Cox Machine Inc. on West 21st Street just east of Hoover. He's always known he wanted to put an industrial park there, and now he's making it a priority.

Cox Machine, which has manufactured aircraft parts for 50 years, is using five of the 20 acres.

And now Cox and his sons -- Jason, Adam and Seth -- are developing the other 15 for Zoo Industrial Park (named, of course, for its proximity to the zoo).

They plan seven lots at the park, the first of which they'll take for a new business they're starting called Zoo Park Storage Condos.

The 48 units are for sale, not lease, at $67 a square foot. The smallest is 1,000 square feet and the biggest is 1,375 square feet.

Lots sold for Marriott in Maize

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:41 CDT

In case anyone had any doubts about growth in Maize, here's proof: The city is getting its first hotel.

A Marriott flag hotel -- it could be one of a couple of different brands -- is coming to the Wyn-Wood commercial development at 37th and Maize. That's where Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, City Hall and Maize Dialysis Center already are located and where Barn'rds has plans to locate.

"Yes, I will confirm that two lots were sold for a hotel," says LewJene Schneider, whose family is developing Wyn-Wood.

Schneider won't go into further details.

She does say, though, that "anything like this that happens on North Maize Road is good for everybody's development."

Realty World looks at west-side office space

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:38 CDT

Greg Fox is opening his second Realty World Alliance, and he may put it in a space formerly occupied by a competitor.

Fox is eyeing part of the former J.P. Weigand & Sons office in Northwest Centre at 13th and Tyler Road for a west-side Realty World.

He opened his first franchise at 21st and Rock Road in 2004.

"I'm looking very, very hard at the Weigand building," Fox says.

He's working with Michael Monteferrante at Occidental Management on a possible deal.

Bag Ladies, models and stylists to share space

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:41 CDT

Most people wouldn't open a retail shop as a way to take a break, but that's what Anita Eck and Misti Langhofer are doing.

After years of selling clothes, jewelry, bags and gifts through trunk shows and at people's homes, the two are opening the Bag Ladies at 2915 E. Douglas in the former Wilborn Hair Co. space.

"People kept asking, 'Where's your storefront?' " Langhofer says.

They saw the benefits of having one.

"Plus we were getting tired," Eck says of traveling and toting products. "We need a break."

Stirrings on downtown Wichita hotel

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:38 CDT

After more than a year of sitting stagnant, Kelly Donham's downtown hotel project may be close to seeing some activity.

New Wichita Downtown Development Corp. president Jeff Fluhr has met with Donham a couple of times, as has City Council member Lavonta Williams.

"We realize that there has been a stall, and there has been a holdup," Williams says.

But she says there will now be regular meetings.

"Jeff comes in with a fresh mind as well," Williams says.

Cowskin Creek is appeal for buyers of 20-acre lot

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:48 CDT

Wichita businessman Jay Maxwell and three partners have purchased more than 20 acres around the QuikTrip at the northeast corner of Kellogg and Maize Road.

The partners closed on the purchase from businessman Don Coleman on Wednesday.

"I can't tell you what I'm going to do yet," Maxwell says.

Sources say he and his partners are planning an entertainment facility and a possible hotel. There are also a couple of pad sites with Kellogg frontage.

"The bottom line is there is still a lot more work to be done before you ever build something," Maxwell says.

Tourism expert has frank tips for Kansas

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:07 CDT

Travel guru Peter Greenberg, best known as travel editor for the “Today” show, had some frank words during opening remarks Monday for the Kansas Tourism Conference at the Hyatt Regency Wichita.

Early on, Greenberg acknowledged Wichita’s status as Air Capital of the World.

“That’s cool if you can get here,” he said. “Your air service sucks.”

Then Greenberg brought up Kansas City International Airport.

“Isn’t it ironic that your largest airport is in another state?” he said. “We have to talk about that.”

Regency school to beautify east side

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:39 CDT

The company isn't ready to discuss it, but Regency Beauty Institute is coming to Wichita. No one with the Brooklyn Park, Minn., company will comment, but a real estate source confirms that the institute signed a lease for more than 6,000 square feet in Eastgate Plaza,on East Kellogg.

Part of the space is the former Scrapbook Garden site.

Regency is negotiating to lease even more space there for cosmetology education.

The growing company also has locations in Topeka and Olathe.

The company's Web site, www.regencybeauty.com, has a little bit of fun trying to entice new students:

PostNet to open on Greenwich near 21st

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:39 CDT

Jim and Liz Anderson are opening a new PostNet business service center at the Village at Greenwich on Oct. 27, but that's not soon enough for some potential customers.

"We've had people come in already wanting to do business," Liz Anderson says.

The Andersons think there's a need for the store -- across from SuperTarget at 21st and Greenwich -- since the closest competitor is FedEx Office on Rock Road. They also hope to draw from Andover.

"I think it's going to add a lot to the area," Liz Anderson says. "There's so much growth.... That ZIP code is exploding."

Jim Anderson has been a career pilot, most recently with NetJets, but he also has a degree in business management.

Kobe Steak House picks Maize Road for second site

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:37 CDT

For the first time in its 25-year history, Kobe Steak House of Japan is getting a second Wichita location. The restaurant is taking the former Tokyo Steakhouse space in North Maize Place on Maize Road just north of 21st Street.

"We've always wanted to go out there and never found the right opportunity," says Jim Hamlin, who is partners with Jim West in Kobe Management Inc.

"We feel like there's been some exciting growth both in retail and in population on the west side," West says.

The restaurant, which will be open by December, will seat 90 at its teppanyaki tables and another 40 or so in its lounge. That's slightly smaller than the Kobe at Carriage Parkway.

Brad Saville and Nick Esterline of Landmark Commercial Real Estate Inc. handled the transaction.

Office This owner eyes Union Station

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:38 CDT

Max Cole likes to say he's "built, bought (and) renovated since 1969."

Now, the Office This owner has his sights set on Union Station.

He has not yet toured the building, which Cox Communications Kansas owns and formerly occupied, but he plans to this week.

"I am going to go down and look it over," he says. "I would be interested in that area."

The building is listed for $6.42 million.

Jack's new owners to keep with tradition

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:41 CDT

Finally, some good news to report for all the Jack's North Hi Carry Out fans who have been e-mailing and calling about its fate.

The restaurant, which has been closed since a February 2007 fire, should reopen by the end of next month.

Joe and Barbara Moore purchased Jack's this week, but they almost didn't get the restaurant.

That's because last week, auctioneer Bud Palmer bought it first.

The Moores struck a deal with Palmer, who pocketed some nice change to let them have it.