Wink Hartman Sr.’s new holding company to purchase CornerBank in Winfield

March 12, 201212:54 p.m.

UPDATED — A year after buying his first bank, businessman Wink Hartman Sr. is creating a financial holding company for his Vintage Bank Kansas in Leon and working on the purchase of a second bank.

The new Vintage Bancorp – a corporation that will become a holding company – has entered into a stock purchase agreement with Cornerstone Alliance, a holding company for CornerBank in Winfield.

“Basically, Vintage Bancorp is purchasing CornerBank, if you will,” says Bruce Schwyhart, Cornerstone and CornerBank president. “CornerBank will continue to be a national bank.”

CornerBank has $278 million in assets. Vintage Bank, which until recently was known as the Bank of Leon, has more than $14 million in assets.

“We’re pleased with the CornerBank opportunity, and in the future, hopefully we’ll be looking for additional acquisitions,” Hartman says. “Presently, 100 percent of our time and effort is going to be to complete the acquisition of CornerBank.”

The deal is expected to close in July or August after shareholder and regulatory approval.

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City Council member Michael O’Donnell II takes job with Wink Hartman Sr.

Nov. 21, 20116:30 a.m.

WICHITA — Wichita City Council member Michael O’Donnell II has a new job.

After more than six years of working in sales for Clear Channel Radio, O’Donnell is going to work for Wink Hartman Sr. He’s done some past work for Hartman, but never full time.

“He’s spread so thin,” O’Donnell says. “He owns over 50 companies. I don’t know how he does it.”

O’Donnell will handle public relations, communications and government affairs for Hartman, which includes his Hartman Arena, restaurants and other companies.

“Everything,” O’Donnell says.

Although Hartman occasionally has a zoning issue that comes before the planning commission, O’Donnell says he’s not a regular in front of City Council, so he doesn’t expect a conflict of interest to arise.

“He never asks for any sort of incentives,” O’Donnell says. “Wink’s a do-it-yourself kind of guy.”

He adds, “If there ever was an issue … I would obviously recuse myself from that.”

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , Filed under Arenas, City government, Hartman Arena | Comments Off

Wink Hartman Sr. to open private Lake Side Club in former Bella Donna space

Oct. 12, 201111:12 a.m.

UPDATED — Wink Hartman Sr. has decided on plans for his former Bella Donna restaurant space.

In July, Hartman told Have You Heard? he was working on a new concept for the space, which sits back from Webb Road just south of 21st Street.

He’s opening the Lake Side Club, a $20-a-month private club that will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Sort of like the long-standing Candle Club near 13th and Woodlawn?

“Well, I don’t like to look at it that way,” Hartman says.

“It’s a country club atmosphere that doesn’t include a pool, tennis or golf.”

Why do it?

“Because I own a building. I need to put it into productivity.”

Why private, though?

“There’s such a need for people in the midrange, say, 35, 45, those types of people.”

Hartman says people in that age group may be married couples who don’t have the time or money for golfing at a country club.

“But they would still like to have an environment where they’re somewhat exclusive, where they’ll see their friends.”

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

Jimmy’s Egg near 21st and Amidon closes; location near Office This to open soon

Aug. 25, 20114:37 p.m.

WICHITA — It turns out the new Jimmy’s Egg that’s going in front of Max Cole’s Office This development at 4031 E. Harry will replace the one just west of 21st and Amidon.

That Jimmy’s Egg is now closed.

Owner Wink Hartman Sr. says his management team “is going to take action to correct businesses that are not performing.”

“The concept is that we’re growing and reallocating our assets to more profitable areas and stores,” he says.

Hartman didn’t want to wait for the new Walmart Neighborhood Market to open at Marina Lakes on the southwest corner of the intersection and hope that his business increased.

“You cannot continually develop and plan your future around a Walmart,” Hartman says. “Yes, they drive traffic, but we have a breakfast concept, and it doesn’t really tie into being around a Walmart.”

The Jimmy’s Egg by Office This will open within 45 days.

Hartman has one more planned by the end of the year.

He’s close to a lease on the west side of College Hill and could have the restaurant open by Thanksgiving.

Look for more news on it soon.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , Filed under Closings, College Hill, Leases, Marina Lakes, New business, Office This, Real estate, Restaurants, West side | Comments Off

Wink Hartman Sr. closes his Knolla’s Pizza and plans a new Jimmy’s Egg

Aug. 4, 201111:21 a.m.

WICHITA — Wink Hartman Sr. has closed one restaurant and is opening another.

His Knolla’s Pizza on East 21st Street just east of 127th Street East closed earlier this week.

Hartman had an agreement with Knolla’s founder Pat Knolla to open the business three years ago.

“It didn’t meet projections,” Hartman says. “Due to the lousy economy and the way Congress can’t do their job, there’s no reason to keep fighting it.”

So what would have happened if the Republican had won his bid for Congress?

“I’d be standing on the biggest soapbox I could find,” Hartman says. “How can you afford to continually spend more?”

Hartman’s Jimmy’s Egg franchises are doing well, so he can afford to do plenty more. He already has six here and one in Houston.

His latest Jimmy’s will open in front of Max Cole’s Office This development at 4031 E. Harry within three months.

Hartman also is looking to further expand in Houston and Kansas.

“I’m trying to create jobs.”

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , Filed under Closings, East side, New business, Restaurants | Comments Off

You don’t say

July 14, 20114:26 p.m.

“I said, ‘Oh, no, no, this is too much fun.’ Plus they wouldn’t say what I’ll say.”

— Wink Hartman Sr. on having a new Twitter account (@WinkHartmanKS) that he’ll do himself instead of taking an offer from a couple of employees to do it for him

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Wink Hartman Sr. plans new restaurant for former Bella Donna space

July 14, 201111:12 a.m.

WICHITA — Wink Hartman Sr. is contemplating putting a new restaurant concept in his former Bella Donna space, which sits back from Webb Road just south of 21st Street.

“I will not deny that,” Hartman says.

“We’re working on the concept. It’s one of those things I don’t know what I’m doing. It’s a typical Wink Hartman deal.”

So, you don’t know what you’re doing. Sure you want to say that in print?

“I don’t care. I’m not running for office anymore.”

And it’s not like the former congressional candidate is saying it will be an amateur attempt.

“Whatever it’s going to be, it’ll be the best.”

He says it won’t compete with his Chester’s Chophouse at the Waterfront.

“Chester’s is the best restaurant in the Midwest.”

Garozzo’s Ristorante was the first restaurant in the space and was open from 2003 to 2007.

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

You don’t say

May 25, 20114:08 p.m.

“It’s a very unique job. (For) one thing, you get to work for Wink.”

– Former Hartman Arena general manager Eric Blockie, who is helping Wink Hartman Sr. find his replacement since he’s taken a job as GM at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , Filed under Arenas, Hartman Arena, You don't say | Comments Off

You don’t say

Feb. 22, 201110:40 a.m.

“This is but the first shot across the bow.”

– Wink Hartman Sr., who says the arena business is competitive and he wants to be the best, so parking is now free for every event at Hartman Arena

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , Filed under Arenas, You don't say | Comments Off

Jimmy’s Egg investment partner Wink Hartman Sr. to buy out managing partner Whitney VinZant

Feb. 2, 20119:59 a.m.

WICHITA — Jimmy’s Egg managing partner Whitney VinZant issued a joint statement with investment partner Wink Hartman Sr. in response to Have You Heard? inquiries about the partnership possibly dissolving.

Hartman is in the due diligence phase of buying the remaining interest of five Jimmy’s Egg franchises in Wichita and one in Houston.

VinZant, who is a partner in Mike’s Wine Dive and the Gaslamp Grille & Lounge, among other restaurants, will no longer be a part of the Jimmy’s Egg franchises here if and when the deal is complete.

“I am excited that Wink is focused on taking this concept to the next level by further expanding into Wichita and surrounding areas,” VinZant said in the statement.

Jimmy’s Egg, a breakfast franchise based in Oklahoma City, has more than 125 employees in Wichita.

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