Loft to open this fall at Bradley Fair

May 24, 20132:57 p.m.

WICHITA — Finally, Bradley Fair can reveal the reason behind its game of musical chairs, business style.

Loft is coming to the center at 21st and Rock Road this fall.

“We have been working with them for quite some time,” says Cathy Erickson, vice president at Laham Development.

“It’s been one of our most-requested stores,” she says. “We do listen, and we do appreciate when our customers give us their … input on what stores and restaurants they would like for us to have at Bradley Fair.”

Formerly known as Ann Taylor Loft, the women’s clothing store is something of a hipper younger sister to Ann Taylor. There are 500 of the stores nationwide.

The store will locate between Talbots and Bella Luna Cafe where Randy Cooper’s Fine Jewelry and College Hill Cleaners are vacating.

Randy Cooper’s is moving to where Howard’s Optique used to be. Howard’s moved from its freestanding space to new space between Sephora and Jason’s Deli in the first round of moves to prepare for Loft.

College Hill Cleaners is moving to where Origins used to be.

Read More »

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

Randy Cooper’s Fine Jewelry and College Hill Cleaners to move within Bradley Fair; new national retailer coming soon

May 9, 20135:00 a.m.

WICHITA — The latest round of musical chairs — business style — is almost over at Bradley Fair.

“The first piece of the puzzle was moving Howard’s Optique, which we did at the end of last year,” says Cathy Erickson, vice president at Laham Development.

Howard’s moved from its freestanding space to new space between Sephora and Jason’s Deli.

Now, Randy Cooper’s Fine Jewelry is moving into the freestanding building that Howard’s left. Amy’s Hallmark shop already is there.

Cooper’s impending move has been one of the worst-kept recent retail secrets, but now that it’s happening, she’s eager to talk.

“I am so thankful that George Laham has given me this opportunity,” she says of the center’s developer.

“I probably wouldn’t have stepped out on my own and done it,” Cooper says. “It just makes it so much more convenient for our customers to visit.”

Her new space will be 4,000 square feet, which is about 20 percent more than what she has now.

“So we can grow and be a better store and offer new lines and offer more of some lines that we have,” Cooper says.

College Hill Cleaners also is moving. It’s taking 1,300 square feet where Origins used to be and will have a new after-hours box for customers to drop off items needing cleaning.

Read More »

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Filed under Bradley Fair, East side, Real estate, Retail | Comments

Hobby Lobby to open in Regency Lakes at 21st and Greenwich

April 24, 20133:43 p.m.

WICHITA — Another major building is under construction at Regency Lakes next to where Cabela’s opened last year.

According to documents filed with the city, Hobby Lobby is building a new 55,000-square-foot store.

Regency Lakes, a Laham Development property at the northwest corner of 21st and Greenwich, is home to SuperTarget, World Market and Hampton Inn & Suites among other things.

Hobby Lobby will go between World Market and Cabela’s, which opened in an 80,000-square-foot space in March 2012.

It looks like the Hobby Lobby currently on the east side at 21st and Woodlawn in Brittany Center will be closing when the new one opens.

There’s also one on the west side in the center at the southwest corner of Central and Ridge.

Building plans for the Regency Lakes Hobby Lobby indicate the store will be based on a new prototype for the craft chain.

Brad Saville with Landmark Commercial Real Estate handled the deal.

There are still a few pad sites left at the 60-acre development. That includes one on the corner, one between Subway and Chili’s and one north of Chili’s.

No one involved is talking just yet, but Hobby Lobby is slated to open yet this year, so look for more details soon.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Filed under Brittany Center, East side, Real estate, Retail | Comments

Construction to begin at Cornerstone Office Park with medical office to be built first

March 13, 20134:57 p.m.

WICHITA — Construction is set to begin shortly at the new Cornerstone Office Park at the 520-acre Cornerstone development in Andover.

There will be room for 150,000 square feet of office space at nine buildings, the first of which will be a new medical building.

“With the success of the hospital, it’s just a natural fit to have medical practices wanting to locate at Cornerstone,” says developer George Laham. “Obviously, we have a lot of interest right now from … medical groups that want to be located in the area.”

Laham Development and Ritchie Development are the developers of Cornerstone, which is north of 21st Street between 159th Street East and Andover Road.

The 18,000-square-foot medical building will be adjacent to the Kansas Medical Center. KMC CEO Badr Idbeis will be one of the physicians to use the new space.

The two-level building will have the same architectural design as the hospital.

There will be a reception area, exam rooms and offices for physicians. One feature of the building is a clerestory that will allow natural light inside.

Read More »

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

Apricot Lane Boutique, a national chain, to open at Bradley Fair this spring

Dec. 18, 20124:59 p.m.

WICHITA — Along with tulips and daffodils popping up this spring, Wichita will have an apricot, too.

Apricot Lane Boutique, that is.

Wichitans Kami and Mark Murphy are opening a franchise of the California-based women’s boutique at Bradley Fair in March.

“The store is a fabulous women’s fashion boutique that is very unique,” says the chain’s founder and CEO Ken Petersen.

There are 82 Apricot Lanes in 30 states, and they’re known for having limited quantities– maybe only a couple of each size — of name-brand and nonbranded apparel.

“Customers love that,” Petersen says. He says they like knowing not everyone will be wearing what they’re wearing.

“Our product mix is fast, and it’s fresh, and it’s on trend, and it’s constantly changing,” he says.

Petersen calls the store a mother-daughter boutique that appeals to both age groups.

He says he’s found it to be even more than that.

“I can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen grandma, mom and daughter in the stores,” he says.

“I didn’t want to be a juniors retailer. We didn’t want to be a Talbots-type of retailer.”

There also will be shoes, jewelry, accessories and gifts in a variety of price points.

“We’re excited to bring something that’s so hip and also something that’s a little more affordable to Bradley Fair,” Kami Murphy says.

Read More »

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

Versona Accessories to open next to Fresh Market at Bradley Fair in early spring

Nov. 14, 20125:00 a.m.

WICHITA — Fresh Market, which opened at Bradley Fair in June, is getting a new neighbor.

Versona Accessories is taking the last of the former Ultimate Electronics space.

“Versona is a store that we have been interested in for quite some time,” says Cathy Erickson, vice president at Laham Development.

“They are in other lifestyle centers similar to Bradley Fair, and we feel they’re a great complement to our existing women’s fashion mix.”

Versona, which is owned by North Carolina-based CATO Corp., sells jewelry, sunglasses, handbags, scarves, belts, footwear and hair accessories.

Currently, there are 22 of the stores nationally.

Erickson says the quality of Versona’s merchandise sets it apart from some other popular accessory stores.

Versona will open in early spring in 7,500 square feet to the west of Fresh Market and employ about 25 people.

Read More »

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

Howard’s Optique to move within Bradley Fair; new retailers coming soon

Oct. 31, 20125:00 a.m.

WICHITA — The Howard’s Optique at Bradley Fair is moving, but not far.

In December, the store will move between Sephora and Jason’s Deli, which are also in Bradley Fair.

“The relocation of Howard’s Optique will allow us to assemble approximately 4,000 square feet of space to accommodate new tenants,” says Cathy Erickson, vice president at Laham Development.

“We have a waiting list of stores and restaurants that would like to be at Bradley Fair,” she says. “They will often wait on the sidelines until we find the right space … for them.”

When Howard’s leaves its current space, that will free up about 2,000 square feet next to the former FranklinCovey store, which was also about 2,000 square feet. A new retailer or retailers will go in the approximately 4,000 square feet.

With the Howard’s move, the more than 40-year-old store is adding more accessories and gift items.

There are six Howard’s Optique stores in Wichita. The Bradley Fair store opened in 1998 and carries eyewear from such brands as Cartier, David Yurman and Robert Marc.

Look for more news soon about what retailer or retailers may be moving into Bradley Fair.

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

Soma Intimates opens Oct. 6 at Bradley Fair

Oct. 3, 201210:51 a.m.

WICHITA — As scheduled, Soma Intimates is opening Oct. 6 at Bradley Fair.

The store, which sells lingerie and sleepwear, will be between Brick’s and Trio’s.

This makes the third concept that Chico’s FAS Inc. has brought to the center. The Florida-based company also owns Chico’s and White House/Black Market.

Soma debuted in 2004 and now has more than 200 stores.

Victoria’s Secret also is at Bradley Fair.

When announcing Soma in May, Laham Development vice president Cathy Erickson told Have You Heard? that some women will shop at Soma and Victoria’s Secret, although some will chose one or the other.

“It offers more women more choices.”

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

Carla’s Love It to close

May 25, 20124:11 p.m.

WICHITA — Carla Whaley is closing her Carla’s Love It shop at Bradley Fair, but she’s not discussing it. Whaley referred questions to Cathy Erickson of Laham Development, the Bradley Fair developer.

“Carla’s Love It is a great store, and we’ve enjoyed having them,” Erickson says.

She says Whaley wants more time with her family. The last day of business is Thursday.

“We’ll miss Carla and wish her well.”

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

Soma Intimates to open at Bradley Fair

May 21, 20125:00 a.m.

WICHITA — Chico’s FAS Inc. is bringing another new store to Bradley Fair.

Almost seven years ago, the Florida-based Chico’s opened two brands – Chico’s and White House/Black Market – at the development.

Now, the company has plans to open Soma Intimates, which sells lingerie and sleepwear.

“Because the women of Wichita have embraced Chico’s and White House/Black Market, the company is eager … to bring Soma to Bradley Fair,” says Cathy Erickson, vice president at Laham Development.

The first Soma Intimates opened in 2004. Now there are almost 200 of the boutiques nationally.

The Bradley Fair store, which will be between Brick’s and Trio’s, will be 2,520 square feet.

“We’re taking excess space not being used by Brick’s and building that out for Soma,” Erickson says.

Read More »

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