WICHITA — It’s been a long time coming, but NuWay finally is returning to the 21st and Amidon area.
The restaurant is going to open west of the intersection at 2135 W. 21st St., which will make the sixth NuWay in Wichita for the 82-year-old chain.
The Lotus Garden had been in that spot for 25 years. It was torn down earlier this week.
“We’ve been trying to open this thing for a year and a half,” says Chris Stong, director of operations.
It was about two decades ago that the NuWay closed at Twin Lakes on the southeast corner of the intersection.
“It was an absolutely fantastic location,” Stong says.
Then, occupancy faltered at the development, he says, and the restaurant left. Stong says he and his family have long wanted to open a new restaurant in the area.
“We think the neighborhood is fantastic,” he says. “Obviously, with everything else going on in the area, it’s a great location.”
A Walmart Neighborhood Market opened on the southwest corner of the intersection, and other new businesses are opening nearby.
The NuWay will be 1,800 square feet and have a drive-through. Stong says trying to configure the space for a drive-through is part of what took so long.
Stong says construction will take 90 to 120 days, which means NuWay should open by September at the latest.
“We really look forward to being back in the area.”