Daily Archives: Feb. 14, 2012

You don’t say

Feb. 14, 20124:23 p.m.

“It’s been literally years since I gave a five-minute presentation.”

– Sedgwick County chief financial officer Chris Chronis’ remark today at a county budget retreat when county Manager Bill Buchanan gave him a 5-minute limit

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , Filed under County government, You don't say | Comments Off

RBP Auto to open on Southwest Boulevard

Feb. 14, 20124:15 p.m.

WICHITA — Ryan Peavey has been wanting to get into the car sales business, but to get his dealer’s license, he says first he needed a building.

So he’s signed a lease for 1,100 square feet at 1707 1/2 Southwest Blvd.

“It’s pretty little,” Peavey says.

It’s the start of his RBP Auto, though.

Peavey plans to sells cars and specialize in distressed ones that he repairs. He may fix other cars on the property as well.

Ted Branson with Landmark Commercial Real Estate handled the deal.

“I expect to have more space eventually,” Peavey says.

He says he needed to start somewhere, though.

“I had to take a chance on something.”

 

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , Filed under Automobile industry, New business, Real estate, Retail | Comments Off

Former O’Brien’s Irish Pub owners prepare to put new venture where Encore Restaurant and Nightclub was

Feb. 14, 20121:57 p.m.

WICHITA — Encore Restaurant and Nightclub proved to be a short-lived venture.

The business, which was in the former O’Brien’s Irish Pub space along East Kellogg by Scotch & Sirloin, lasted only a few months.

Owner Michael Todd couldn’t be reached for comment, but Charlie Badeen says he and David Allan are taking back the space.

It’s not clear what happened with Encore.

“I really couldn’t tell you,” Badeen says. “I have no idea.”

Nor is he sure what he and Allan will do with the space.

Is there a chance they’ll bring back O’Brien’s?

“Can’t answer that question. Don’t know.”

Badeen expects to make a decision in the next few days and says he’ll let us know as soon as he does.

He and Allan are also close to opening their new Joe’s Old Town Bar and Grill in Old Town. Look for an opening date soon

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , Filed under Bars, Closings, Downtown, New business, Old Town, Real estate, Restaurants | Comments Off

Lytton’s Furniture in Park City to close

Feb. 14, 20125:00 a.m.

WICHITA — Instead of moving to a new location as they once planned, Lytton’s Furniture owners Sidney and Scott Francis have decided to close their Park City store.

“We’re selling off our inventory,” Sidney Francis says.

The store opened more than three years ago at 1600 E. 61st St.

About this time last year, the couple faced a tax delinquency, and Scott Francis said the store didn’t generate enough traffic.

The two then started looking for new space outside of Park City.

“It’s just been hard finding a place,” Sidney Francis says.

They needed a larger but economically priced building with a dock, and it had to be in an area with good traffic.

“We were trying to see what would happen in the last quarter of the year,” Sidney Francis says. “We kind of put an ultimatum on ourselves.”

They decided if they didn’t see improvement in the economy, they would close.

Fisher says she’s not sure how long it will take, but the store will remain open until the inventory is gone.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , Filed under Closings, Park City, Retail | Comments Off