Ben Arnold’s Corporate Caterers of Wichita to open Cafe 151 at Cargill headquarters

Aug. 24, 20106:00 a.m.

WICHITA — Ben Arnold confirms what Have You Heard? reported last week: He’s taking over the restaurant operation at Cargill’s Wichita headquarters where Piccadilly Express used to be.

Which leaves one big question for the guy who has already taken on new headquarters for his Corporate Caterers of Wichita and struck a deal to do the restaurant and catering at the Broadview Hotel and still has his catering space at Douglas and West:

Is he a crazy man?

“It’s not as big as it seems,” Arnold says of taking on one more thing.

The new restaurant will open in mid-November or early December.

It will be called Cafe 151 for its address at 151 N. Main.

The cafe will be open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for breakfast and lunch.

All breakfasts will be $4 or under, and all lunches will be $6 or under.

Arnold says his agreement with Cargill will allow him to serve food at reasonable prices.

“It’s a two-way street,” he says.

“I have a long-term relationship with Cargill. I’ve been catering for them for the last 10 years. They know me very well.”

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , Filed under Downtown, Restaurants | Comments

Ben Arnold of Corporate Caterers of Wichita may take over Cargill restaurant space

Aug. 20, 20105:05 p.m.

WICHITA — It’s really hard to believe, but Ben Arnold may be taking on another venture.

The owner of Corporate Caterers of Wichita has taken on a lot in the last year, such as expanding the space at his Douglas and West headquarters, leasing a large, new space at Comotara Center and signing a deal with the Broadview Hotel.

Now, Arnold may be Cargill’s top choice to take over the restaurant space at the company’s Wichita headquarters at 151 N. Main.

“I am very interested in the space, and would love the opportunity,” Arnold says.

“I have not signed a contract on the space, so to confirm this information would be premature.”

Piccadilly Express had been operating at the building for 13 years but last month was told it didn’t make the cut in Cargill’s decision about future food services.

The restaurant closed immediately.

Look for news on Arnold’s possible deal soon.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , Filed under Downtown, Restaurants | Comments

Piccadilly Express at the Cargill building downtown closes

July 29, 20105:16 p.m.

WICHITA — After 13 years in the Cargill building downtown at 151 N. Main, Piccadilly Express has closed.

“Last Friday, Piccadilly was notified that they were not going to make the cut for those being considered to provide food services here in the building,” says Cargill spokesman Mike Martin.

“They were given three weeks’ notice and basically given the notice as soon as it was decided they would not make the cut, and they ceased operations immediately.”

No one with Latour Management, which owned the restaurant, returned calls for comment.

This is the latest restaurant in what has become the dismantling of a dining dynasty in Wichita.

Latour’s Chelsea’s Bar & Grill and Olive Tree Bistro were evicted from Comotara Center late last year.

The west-side Piccadilly closed in 2005.

The east-side Piccadilly and Bagatelle Bakery are the only restaurants Latour has left.

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , Filed under Closings, Downtown, Restaurants | Comments

Piccadilly Express, Avenue Style need to move to make room for Cargill

Jan. 25, 20105:34 p.m.

WICHITA — Two longtime businesses have to move to make room for Cargill at the company’s Wichita headquarters at 151 N. Main.

The Avenue Style salon has to move from the building, and Piccadilly Express has the option to move to the smaller salon space.

“We’d like to have a food service operator there, and that would be something for Piccadilly to consider,” says Cargill spokesman Mark Klein. “They’re sure welcome to it.”

Klein says Cargill needs the Piccadilly space for taste panels to test new Cargill products.

Currently the panels meet at the company’s 29th Street site.

But the company is moving about 80 employees downtown, and that will cut in half the number of people available for tastings, Klein says.

Naji Toubia, chairman of Piccadilly owner Latour Management, doesn’t mind having to move.

“Oh, I think it’s a good opportunity,” he says.

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , Filed under Leases, Real estate, Restaurants, Salons | Comments