WICHITA — The deal is still somewhat in the works, but it looks like Ernie Biggs Dueling Piano Bar is coming to the former Gaslamp Grille & Lounge near Central and Rock.
“We were divided on that spot or something downtown,” says Jay Hickman.
Hickman and Daniel Bryant are partners in the chain.
There are three Ernie Biggs locations in Missouri — Branson, Kansas City and Springfield — and one in Little Rock.
The Wichita Ernie Biggs will open May 9.
Gaslamp owner Whitney VinZant, who couldn’t be reached for comment, may or may not be a partner in Ernie Biggs.
“We don’t have all that finalized yet,” Hickman says. “We’re trying to work out a deal right now with him and that spot.”
Hickman says there’s no question Ernie Biggs will happen, though. A new sign went up today.
Initially, the bar will be open Wednesday through Saturday.
“We’ll probably add a Tuesday night on down the road,” Hickman says.
Eventually, he’ll also probably add burgers, sandwiches and appetizers.
Hickman says the east side’s demographics are what determined the final location. He says he expects to attract an older crowd early and a more college-age crowd later in the evening.
“We did a lot of research on the market,” Hickman says. “People have been telling us to go there for years. … It just seems like this was our natural progression to go to Wichita next.”