WICHITA — When last we checked with Janet and Grant Rine, they’d decided not to move their Old Town Architectural Salvage to the former Immanuel Baptist Church at 147 S. Hillside.
They bought the former church and adjacent school in April but decided to put plans on hold for a while.
Now, they’re moving forward by trying to get commercial zoning for what likely will be called the Rine Center for Performing Arts.
“It’s a slow, painful process,” Janet Rine says.
“It just takes time to jump through all the hoops and get everybody on the same page,” she says. “Sometimes it’s just difficult to be progressive.”
Kathy Page-Hauptman and Ann-Marie Rogers will book and produce shows that Rine says will create “a niche that’s not being met in Wichita.”
Part of the hold-up is the city doesn’t think the Rines have enough parking for what they want to do.
Janet Rine says they’re willing to keep their event numbers down if that’s what it takes to get the zoning.
She expects the process could take six months and then it would be another six months to finish readying the space.
“The longer they delay, the more we’re delayed,” Rine says.
The Rines are already buying new kitchen equipment for bistro-style service during the shows.
They’ve also hired an architect to redesign the theater space and overhaul the sound and lighting.
Rine is not spending much time at her Caffe Moderne restaurant in Old Town these days.
Ben George is now executive chef and general manager.
Rine says she’s impressed with his energy and talent.
Last month, George added breakfast.
“It is so good,” Rine says.
And, in a few weeks, George will add a dinner menu that expands beyond the sandwiches and salads that the restaurant has for lunch.
With George at the restaurant, Rine says she’s free to focus on the future performance center.
“We’re jazzed.”
19 Comments
Kathy Page-Hauptman? Good luck with that.
Part of the hold-up is the city doesn’t think the Rines have enough parking for what they want to do.
But I thought we proved with IBA that we don’t need parking!
I have to agree with DrNilesKirsch.
The Wichita community is blessed to have the Rine’s. Thank you for all that you do personally and professionally.
Good luck Rines. Page-Hauptman has left a trail of bad debts, broken promises and ill-will for years now and you hired her to run your operation? What are you thinking?!! Not to mention that you would pull business away from the Crown-Uptown. I totally despise rich people who adopt an egocentric view of the world. All I can say is what goes around comes around.
I think the whole, “we don’t need parking for an event center” thing only works for the county and city… everyone else is expected to function in reality.
As for Page-Hauptman, I’ll simply say that this is an interesting choice, and they certainly are willing to take the big gambles. I wouldn’t risk my money and reputation on that one…
Finally, with regard to the Crown Uptown and their potentially taking business away. I am of two minds. First, if they really do fill a niche that is missing in Wichita, then they will hopefully add to the theatre experience available instead of taking anything away. Second, if they do end up taking business away, then its survival of the fittest. They certainly do not owe any favors to the Crown Uptown. Everyone has a right to compete. If they do it better, then so be it. The theatre consumers in Wichita will vote with their dollars.
We enjoyed Miss Page-Hauptman’s wonderful productions at Stage One for many years. People with a failed business in their background can be very valuable to a new company because someone who has failed often knows how to avoid future failures. Wichita is lucky to have her talent and creative spirit. We wish them success and look forward to being in the audience one day at this new performing center!
To hanginoutindoodah
I’m glad you enjoyed the “wonderful” productions that “Ms” Page-Haugtman (she’s married if you didn’t know) put on. I’m sorry you didn’t know that behind the scenes alot of people were paid late or not at all. It’s sort of like buying a beautiful carpet without realizing that it was made through unethical and dubious business practices. But why should you be bothered, all you care about is how good the show looks. As for lessons learned, I don’t think they have been, but the Rines will soon find out, won’t they.
Ann Marie Rogers is a very talented individual and will help garner a good reputation for this new organization. But Kathy Paige-Haugtman, while also very talented, cannot be trusted. She is arguably one of the most untrustworthy people in the Wichita theatre community. She doesn’t pay her actors, she over-spends her budgets, and she skips out on her obligations. If this new organization in smart, they will drop Kathy Page-Haugtman before it’s too late.
Muchtodo: No I did not know her marriage status. Do you know how her last name is spelled? As I understand the Rines are successful people who have done a lot for this community. I’m sure they know what they are doing.
To hanginoutindoodah: Please tell me what exactly the Rines have done for this community?
The Rine’s may be good business people, but they obviously have idea about theater and arts in this town. Ms. Page-Hauptman has, hands down, the worst reputation in the theater/arts community of anyone. She consistently uses and abuses performers, technicians and everyone else that has worked for her at several theatres. Her past donors should question where their monies went because it sure didn’t go where it should have. Few, if any, of the contracts she had with artists and facilites were honored. Good luck getting any local talent to support a facility run by this woman. There are plenty of talented folks The Rine’s could have enlisted for this with great reputations and connections. How did they recruit for these jobs? Seems like the worst choice they could have made. I do hope that Ms. Rogers doesn’t suffer from such a bad choice.
Muchtodo about nothing: They have done plenty to upgrade this community with their cafe in Old Town, he is a well respected doctor that saves lives! Do your own research. First you attack Page-Hauptman and now you try to launch an attack on these fine people who are trying to do something wonderful for a neighborhood by renovating a property and giving the community some high quality entertainment! You are negative, negative, negative. Shame on you. I’m finished with this discussion.
I have to agree with MUCHTODO… Page-Hauptman is not to be trusted with another theatre. I really do wish the Rine’s the best of luck, but they’re taking a huge, unneeded risk by enlisting the shady workings of Page-Hauptman. Stick with Ann Marie Rogers as an artistic director and find someone to be a skilled business manager… but lose Page-Hauptman before its too late.
Since when is opening a restaurant a major upgrade to the community. And being a doctor is admirable but they are well compensated for their time and trouble. You sound plenty defensive of Page-Hauptman, hanginoutindoodah. Stating the truth about someone can hurt, but hey what if it’s true? You need to do your own research before you start defending someone with Page-Hauptman’s track record.
Hmmmm….do I smell a smear campaign? Perhaps by a nearby business that feels threatened by this new venture?
Sincere best wishes to the Rinds, Kathy and Ann-Marie. Let’s move on.
Hmmmm…I smell some enablers talking here. If there were debtor prisons, Page-Hauptman would be serving a hard 20. I’ve got friends who have suffered financially from her shenanigans. Please don’t support someone who has never owned up to any of her shortcomings even though they have hurt many in the wichita theatre community and beyond. It’s one thing to make mistakes, learn from them and move on. It’s another to continue to exhibit unethical and unscrupulous business practices on a repeating basis and have outsiders look the other way. Fool me once…
I don’t know these people from Adam, but here’s the thing: I don’t know any of you commenters from Adam, either.
Somebody, for or against, want to give me something with some credibility? Because as it is, I can only assume that at least some if not all of you “fors” are friends or relatives of the subjects, and at least some if not all of you “againsts” are competitors.
Which is all to say: you can argue amongst yourselves all you want. But if you want to actually change somebody’s mind, you’ll have to come up with something concrete.