Myoptix Fashion Eyewear to close

Nov. 6, 200912:58 p.m.

WICHITA — Word first started circulating weeks ago that Myoptix Fashion Eyewear may close, and now it’s happening.

“I’d been sick for a long time, and of course they tore up the road,” says owner Jon Herrscher of his space at the northwest corner of Douglas and Oliver.

The economy, though, probably has been the biggest factor.

“I just have to close up,” Herrscher says. “There’s no traffic anymore.”

He’ll stay open for another week or two to sell his inventory, which Herrscher says he’s reduced to his cost or below.

He’s owned the shop for more than seven of its approximately 10 years in business.

Part of the problem is his space is too large, Herrscher says. So he may reopen somewhere else at some point.

If “we just found a little smaller place, more quaint would be better.”

There’s also a chance Herrscher could just sell wholesale or partner with an eye doctor.

“I’m not quite sure what my plans are,” he says. But there’s “no use keeping it open.”

Myoptix isn’t the only business closing on that corner.

As Have You Heard? previously reported, Caffe Posto’s last day in business is Sunday, and Barrier’s will close early in the new year.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , Filed under Closings, Retail | Comments (5)

You don’t say

Nov. 5, 20094:28 p.m.

“The only people I haven’t seen are Charles and Liz Koch.”

— Wichita resident and longtime Barrier’s shopper Pat Hysko’s comment about the who’s who of Wichita shopping the store’s going-out-of-business presale Monday, which she described as a cross between a wake and a social gathering

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , Filed under Bankruptcy, Retail | Comments (1)

What will happen with the Barrier’s property?

Oct. 30, 20094:51 p.m.

WICHITA — A Barrier’s question that won’t be answered for a while is what will happen with the property at the northeast corner of Douglas and Oliver.

There’s the jewelry and gift store and the office behind it.

It’s owned by Big River LLC, and the late Jay Barrier’s probate estate it its sole member.

The administrator will decide what happens with the property at a later date.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , Filed under Bankruptcy, Retail | Comments (4)

Is the Barrier’s liquidation sale legal?

Oct. 30, 20094:26 p.m.

WICHITA — A couple of readers had a question after seeing this week’s item about Barrier’s liquidation sale, which starts Monday.

Barrier’s filed bankruptcy Oct. 23, and a judge this week approved the liquidation sale.

Marsden Brothers Promotions of Idaho is conducting the sale and plans to bring in new merchandise to sell as Barrier’s stock is depleted.

The readers wondered if this is against the law.

According to Wichita code section 3.32.070, during such a sale it’s unlawful to sell merchandise that’s not regular stock at the store or to replenish or add items during the sale.

However, according to the city attorney’s office, in this case the bankruptcy court’s order would prevail.

If anyone wanted to challenge that ruling, a complaint would have to go through the bankruptcy court because it has jurisdiction.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , Filed under Bankruptcy, Retail | Comments (1)

Barrier’s to close in January following liquidation sale

Oct. 28, 20095:34 p.m.

WICHITA — Barrier’s, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy Friday, is moving ahead with a liquidation sale starting Monday and will close after the sale ends in early January.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Dale Somers approved the sale during a hearing today.

“We’re here today because of the unfortunate and untimely death of Jay Barrier,” bankruptcy attorney Ed Nazar said during the hearing.

Barrier, grandson of Carl Barrier who founded the jewelry and gift shop in 1933, died following an accident one year ago this week.

Nazar told the court that a lack of a succession plan coupled with a difficult economy and changing market conditions prompted the bankruptcy.

Barrier’s has $938,788 in liabilities and $2,815,582 in assets.

The liquidation is expected to bring $2.5 million in sales, of which $1,182,972 is projected to be net profit.

Read More »

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , , Filed under Bankruptcy, Retail | Comments (7)

Barrier’s files Chapter 11 and plans to liquidate (updated version)

Oct. 26, 20096:24 p.m.

WICHITA — Barrier’s, the longtime jewelry and gift store on the northeast corner of Douglas and Oliver, has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy with $938,788 in liabilities and $2,815,582 in assets.

“We have made a Chapter 11 filing, and now we’re in the process of planning our next steps,” says Mary Ellen Barrier.

Barrier says she can’t say whether the bankruptcy means the store will close or sell.

“I just do not know yet,” she says. “All these final decisions have not been made.”

According to the bankruptcy filing, though, the store is having a liquidation sale.

“There’s a teachable moment here,” says Barrier’s attorney Ed Nazar.

“We’ve lost an icon for Wichita, and I feel very sad about that. And we’ve lost that icon for two reasons.

Read More »

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , Filed under Bankruptcy, Retail | Comments (2)

Barrier’s files Chapter 11; future uncertain

Oct. 26, 200911:07 a.m.

WICHITA — Barrier’s, the longtime jewelry store at Douglas and Oliver, has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy with $938,788 in liabilities and $2,815,582 in assets.

“We have made a Chapter 11 filing, and now we’re in the process of planning our next steps,” says Mary Ellen Barrier.

Barrier says she can’t say whether the bankruptcy means the store will close or sell.

“I just do not know yet,” she says. “All these final decisions have not been made.”

Barrier doesn’t want to say much more until her attorney, Ed Nazar, comments on the filing. He was not immediately available.

Barrier says Barrier’s is getting ready for an in-store sale.

“We look forward to seeing all our friends and customers at that time,” she says.

And as for the bankruptcy, she says, “We regret doing it very much.”

Look for more information on this story later today.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , Filed under Bankruptcy, Retail | Comments (6)