Have You Heard?

WICHITA — After not quite five months in business, DK Kitchen has closed.

Owner Douglas “D.J.” Pitts says he “just couldn’t sustain a business as far as customer traffic goes.”

He says he needed only 30 or 40 diners a day, and with thousands of downtown workers he didn’t think that would be a problem.

Pitts doesn’t blame the location at 217 E. Douglas even though several other restaurants also have failed there.

“If I had more money to open a restaurant . . . obviously there probably are better locations.”

Pitts had 626 Douglas at 626 E. Douglas downtown in 2004 for about a year.

He also was the chef for a while at the now-closed Bella Donna.

Pitts isn’t sure what he’ll do next.

“I’m just kind of taking a step back,” he says.

He’s still committed to food, though.

“It is what I do.

WICHITA — Douglas “D.J.” Pitts is returning downtown with a new restaurant concept.

Pitts first opened 626 Douglas in 2004 at 626 E. Douglas.

He’s now opening D&K Kitchen at 217 E. Douglas in the former Stang space next to Athena Jewelry.

So says Athena owner Sophokles “Steve” Anthimides, who says he’s leasing Pitts the space.

Pitts couldn’t be reached for comment.

Anthimides says D&K will serve American and French cuisine.

He says the new restaurant initially will be open only for lunch. Hours eventually will expand.

One restaurant deal that won’t happen for Anthimides is Eaton Steakhouse reopening in the former Lancers space in Century Plaza at Douglas and Main.

“I changed my mind on that,” Anthimides says.

Read More »