Precious Debut 4D Ultrasound to open at Bristol Square Shopping Center

May 16, 20134:15 p.m.

WICHITA — Precious Debut 4D Ultrasound will make its debut in the Bristol Square Shopping Center in Derby next week.

The business will cater to pregnant women in 1,600 square feet at the center, which is at the northeast corner of Madison and Rock Road.

Tammy Dvorak and Shelly White, who have 30 years of ultrasound experience between them, are partners in the business.

Dvorak says 4D ultrasound is basically 3D with motion. She and White prefer that expectant mothers have permission from their doctors before getting these elective ultrasounds.

“This is more for … fun,” Dvorak says. “Kind of bond the family together.”

The business will be available for baby parties. Dvorak says she hasn’t had final word from the fire marshal yet, but she thinks the space may be able to hold up to 50 people.

Cristi Howell of J.P. Weigand & Sons handled the lease.

Precious Debut also will offer diagnostic ultrasound with a doctor’s order and offer a variety of general health screening services.

Dvorak says she and White hope to open on Monday.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , Filed under Bristol Square, Derby, New business, Real estate, Retail | Comments

Kumon Math and Reading Learning Center to open in Hampton Lakes Retail Center

March 28, 20133:37 p.m.

WICHITA — Recent Wichita State University graduate Neeti Patel is now a teacher – and a business owner at age 22.

Patel, who has a business management degree, is opening a Kumon Math and Reading Learning Center in the Hampton Lakes Retail Center at 4041 N. Maize Road.

“I went to Kumon as a child,” Patel says. “The program is amazing. I really believe in it. … Education’s really important to me.”

She says Kumon is a Japanese learning enrichment program for students of all ages. It focuses on math and reading.

“It is the world’s largest enrichment program,” Patel says. “The children actually end up learning the concepts on their own.”

She says Kumon instructors make sure there are no gaps in what the students are learning.

“We start them at a place where they know everything, and we go up from there,” Patel says. “We call it the comfortable starting point.”

She says that’s to build confidence for the students and help them enjoy what they’re doing.

“They actually learn to love the material,” Patel says. “I loved the program. My parents loved the program.”

She says Kumon also is good to franchisees.

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , Filed under Education, Hampton Lakes Retail Center, Real estate, West side | Comments

Pure Fitness Rx opens in west Wichita

March 20, 20135:00 a.m.

WICHITA — Pete Rohleder has been working out at Fit Physique Fitness Center since he was 12 and working there since he was 16. After spending half his life there, he says he was ready to have his own place.

This week, he’s having a soft opening for his Pure Fitness Rx at 3460 N. Ridge Road.

“Fit Physique is a wonderful place … but I needed to grow professionally,” Rohleder says.

He got his master’s degree in exercise science last year and says, “I wanted to be able to offer more services.”

Rohleder calls himself an exercise physiologist.

“It allows me to be a little bit more in-depth and a little more comprehensive with my approach to health and fitness.”

He says he can incorporate more physiological tools for better results.

“I can help develop programs that are much more efficient.”

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , Filed under Health clubs, Real estate, West side | Comments Off

Hairy Sofa Pet Grooming Boutique to open at Siena Plaza in a couple of weeks

Jan. 8, 20134:14 p.m.

Julie Breault and Sara DuLac are opening the Hairy Sofa Pet Grooming Boutique in Siena Plaza. On Breault’s lap is her dog Edward, whom she says is in desperate need of grooming.

WICHITA — If you heard about a new business that features a large purple sofa and chandelier to greet you along with a refreshment center, you might think you’ve entered a hip new bar.

If you then learned this business offers massages and blueberry facials, it would be natural to assume it was the latest spa in town.

It is – just not for humans.

Julie Breault and Sara DuLac are opening the Hairy Sofa Pet Grooming Boutique at Siena Plaza to cater to man’s best friends, whether they’re dogs or cats.

“We’re trying to really create a unique space, something unlike other grooming salons you’ll see here in Wichita,” Breault says.

There will be “all kinds of great options for the pets to get while they’re there. They’re going to be very well attended to.”

Breault is the practice manager at Heartland Animal Hospital & Play & Stay, which her husband, veterinarian Gary Breault, and her brother-in-law, veterinarian Bill Breault, own.

The two businesses will be sister companies of sorts. Heartland’s grooming business is moving to the Hairy Sofa. Pets who need vaccinations or other medical care will be transported from the Hairy Sofa to Heartland.

“We’re hoping to make it as convenient as possible – kind of a one-stop shop without being all in one stop,” Julie Breault says. “As little of time as you can run around transporting your pet the better.”

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , Filed under East side, Real estate, Retail, Siena Plaza | Comments Off

Chris Hamman to open Golf Etc. near K-96 and Greenwich in March

Nov. 14, 20126:30 a.m.

WICHITA — Lifelong golfer Chris Hamman is turning his passion into a career.

Hamman, who played at the University of Kansas, is opening Golf Etc. this spring at 2621 N. Greenwich. That’s near K-96 and Greenwich by Star Lumber and Heartland Coin Gallery.

Hamman was with Koch Industries for almost 28 years. His last position was president of Invista’s polymer and resins business.

Golf Etc. will be what Hamman calls an upscale, full-service golf shop and club-fitting studio.

“We really wanted to be able to provide products and services to golfers of all skill levels to help them improve their game more,” he says.

The store will sell the latest golf equipment, apparel, accessories and gift items.

It also will offer a professional club-fitting service.

“We’ll be able to repair and build golf clubs in our workshop, which is within the store,” Hamman says.

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

Professional Home Buyers buys Pixius Communications space on East Central

Oct. 10, 20125:00 a.m.

WICHITA — For the first time in the 11 years since Tony Javier started Professional Home Buyers, he’s going to own the building where his business is.

Javier has purchased the 3,840-square-foot building at 1634 E. Central near Hydraulic where Pixius Communications has been.

“We wanted the space to be able to grow,” he says. “We’re able to create our own identity rather than being in another office building.”

Pixius is moving to Second and St. Francis downtown but will remain in its current space until December.

Javier has been at the Waterfront development at 13th and Webb Road for several years in the Keller Williams Signature Partners office. Professional Home Buyers is licensed with Keller Williams.

Javier’s company buys undervalued properties, renovates them and sells to buyers who generally use conventional financing. The company also has a rent-to-own program that Javier says helps people with poor credit be able to finance a home within six to 12 months.

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , Filed under Real estate | Comments Off

Bliss-fullness Custom Cakes & Pastries to open in Tyler Plaza

July 2, 201210:51 a.m.

WICHITA — Angie Vasquez may be moving her Bliss-fullness Custom Cakes & Pastries from her home to her first retail shop, but homemade treats will still be her calling card.

“Everything is baked from scratch,” Vasquez says. “You can really tell the difference in the taste and quality of our products.”

She’s moving her business to 1,625 square feet at Tyler Plaza at 841 N. Tyler, which is about a block north of Central and Tyler.

Vasquez will have several specialties. That includes cupcakes, with such flavors as tiramisu, amaretto and key lime coconut. She’ll also have cakes and pastries, such as croissants.

“We’re going to bake them fresh daily.”

Vasquez says her croissants take three days to make “just so that the flavors sink in.”

“I think that’s going to be our big seller.”

She’ll also have bread, cannoli, cream puffs, chocolates and truffles.

Vasquez, a former registered nurse, says part of her desire to have a retail shop is to make more money so that she can give to different charities monthly. She has three children who were born prematurely, and Vasquez says people helped her, and now she wants to give back.

“We’ll have a bigger presence,” she says of having the shop. “We’ll attract more customers.”

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , Filed under Real estate, Retail, West side | Comments Off

Title Boxing Club to open at Shops at Tallgrass; two more clubs could follow

March 30, 201211:16 a.m.

WICHITA — Even Wichitans who aren’t looking to get in shape are going to have a hard time avoiding gyms soon.

In addition to new Planet Fitness and Gold’s Gym locations, Title Boxing Club is coming to the city.

It may sound exclusive to boxers, but the franchise actually is a fitness center.

“We’re basically taking the danger out,” says Chris Gerhardt, who is opening the business with Matt McClure. Gerhardt says they want it to “be something everyone can do just to get in shape.”

The first of what they think will be three Title Boxing Clubs will open in 5,527 square feet near 21st and Rock Road at the Shops at Tallgrass early this summer.

Gerhardt is a business consultant and former employee of equipment dealer Title Boxing, which is the company that started the fitness franchise in Kansas City.

So far, 144 franchises have been purchased, and 25 are open nationally.

For $59.99 a month, clients can have group classes and individual training using the same exercises as those who box or do mixed martial arts.

“We just turn it into (a) regular workout program for everybody,” Gerhardt says.

There’s a boxing ring, but he says the majority of the class is on a boxing bag.

The classes have a warm-up, boxing rounds and core work at the end.

“This gym offers a coach that’s with you the entire time,” Gerhardt says. “There’s some pretty fantastic coaches that are already on board.”

That includes pro boxer Manny Thompson and Ross “The Boss” Puritty, a former heavyweight world champion.

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , Filed under Fitness, New business, Real estate | Comments Off

Tech Outlet to open next to west-side Party City next week

Nov. 1, 201110:32 a.m.

WICHITA — Sterling Morrison was working for a wireless business when he got an idea for a new company.

When the wireless chain needed new computers, he says, it would buy refurbished ones online.

“So I’m like, wow, there’s a niche here,” Morrison says.

That’s why he’s opening Tech Outlet late next week at 6810 W. Kellogg, which is next to Party City.

Cristi Howell of J.P. Weigand & Sons handled the deal for the 2,250-square-foot space.

“We offer factory refurbished electronics,” Morrison says.

That includes TVs, computers, cameras and game consoles among other things.

“A lot of people go online and try to buy refurbished things rather than paying full retail,” Morrison says. “Here, you can just walk in the doors, look at the things we have to offer . . . and you can buy it right then and walk out of the doors with it.”

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , Filed under New business, Real estate, Retail, Technology, West side | Comments Off

Beautiful Day Market & Cafe to open downtown this fall

Aug. 10, 20113:10 p.m.

WICHITA — Downtown dwellers have called for more grocery options in their area, and Charolett Knapic is answering.

Knapic, who owns Echo Landscapes, plans to open Beautiful Day Market & Cafe in 6,000 square feet downtown in November.

She’s not saying precisely where until she finalizes the lease. Cristi Howell at J.P. Weigand & Sons is assisting her.

Jill Miller of Creative Solutions is helping Knapic with her business plan, which is centered around locally grown and organic food.

Knapic grew up working at her grandparents’ Kingman restaurant, McQueen’s Cafe and Servateria.

That didn’t inspire her to want her own restaurant, though.

“Not at all,” Knapic says. “I thought I would never go back to it.”

The healthful side of the business is what’s attracting her.

“I want a place that makes you feel good.”

She got the idea because she was not feeling well.

“About five years ago I had a big health failure.”

Knapic says stress from her business caused her to have a physical breakdown.

Living a more natural, healthy life is what got her back on track and allowed her to find balance, she says.

“I learned a big lesson.”

Knapic wants to share that lesson.

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Filed under Downtown, Grocery, Leases, Real estate, Restaurants, Retail | Comments Off