Good morning, Wichita!

This weekend was one for the books. If you truly, truly, truly think there is nothing to do in Wichita, please respond to this email and let’s chat. I know a good eye doctor.

Let’s get to it!

-Landon

Bye-Bye Stingray Cove

After five years, Stingray Cove at the Sedgwick County Zoo will close for good on November 1 as the zoo’s contract with Living Exhibits comes to an end.

The stingrays will move to other locations, but the popular exhibit could eventually return in a permanent form as part of the zoo’s future master plan and the zoo will offer half-price admission Oct. 30–Nov. 1 for its final weekend.

Together with the Holiday Galleria

Holiday Galleria is back October 1–3 at Century II! Shop local, regional, and national merchants while supporting the Junior League of Wichita and its work in our community.

Oct. 1: A Very Merry Soiree Preview Party | $50
Oct. 2: Sleigh Girl Sleigh Girls’ Night Out | $30
Oct. 2–3: General Shopping | $10

Saturday includes a Grinch appearance, entertainment, and the best merchants!

Get your tickets and kick off the holiday season in style!

Interested in advertising with us?

LOCAL BUSINESS

Opening

Buckets Ca Phe Vietnamese Coffee - 4100 E Harry St Ste 40 - Now Open
The Big Biscuit - 1906 N Rock Rd ( in Derby) - Now Open
Casey’s General Store - Coming to former Pizza Hut location in Maize - Opening TBD
El Chinola Mariscos ICT - moving from their food truck to former Amore Italian Restaurant space at 2315 W 21st St - Opening by January

Closing

Little Explorers Daycare - 530 E Douglas (caddy corner to Naftzger Park) - Now Closed

Small Business Honorees

Congrats to all of the WBJ Small business honorees!

And also congrats to the WBJ 2026 Power 50! Here’s the full list.

Is Wichita a coffee city?

According to WalletHub, Wichita ranks #79 and the only Kansas city to make it on the list (KCMO was #39).

NONPROFIT

Wichita Foundation 40th Anniversary

The Wichita Foundation is celebrating 40 years by highlighting 40 people and partnerships that have helped shape Wichita, with new “Faces of Impact” profiles rolling out throughout the year. The first group includes Kate and Clay Bastian, James Chung, Kyle Ellison and Claudia Yaujar-Amaro, sharing the different ways each has contributed to the community.

Bike Walk

If you have a new or used bike and would like to donate it, Bike Walk Wichita is the best place to do so!

Army of Normal Folks

Only 30% of people contribute to their communities at the level they’d like to. If you’re looking for an easy on-ramp to give your time, treasure, or talents, check out the Army of Normal Folks today.

🏠 Home of the Week 🏠

Together with McCurdy Real Estate & Auction

10806 E Glengate Cir

4,885 sq-ft
4 beds, 3.5+baths
Updated basement theatre room
Coffee bar + private balcony
Waterfront lot
gated front patio with a fireplace
covered back deck overlooking pond & fountain

Auction - Bidding opens on 10/20 at 2pm and runs until 10/29 at 2:15pm

Open house - Wednesday 10/7 at 3:30pm, Tuesday 10/20 at 3:30pm, Monday 10/26 at 3:30pm

Auction Managers: Rick Brock, McCurdy Real Estate & Auction

CIVIL

Minisa Bridge

The Minisa Bridge has been getting some rehab work lately and is set to open this week.

LOCAL

Butler Community College

Butler Community College is turning 100, and everyone’s invited to the party.

Head to El Dorado on Saturday, Oct. 17 for a full day of family activities, food trucks and Grizzly spirit starting at 10 a.m., followed by Butler taking on Dodge City at 1 p.m.

The Pom Social

A new dance event is coming to Wichita! ELARA Collective is hosting The Pom Social on October 24 at Commerce Place, bringing dancers together for a morning of learning a pom routine, connecting with the local dance community, shopping local vendors and having some fun.

Flu Shots

You can get flu shots with no insurance at 13th and Waco Walgreens 10/2 from 2-6pm.

Jacob Clark

I have some pretty cool friends.

Jacob Clark is one of the most talented people I know and he shot the photo of D’Aydrian Harding that is in every Spencer’s store.

Cider Fest

White Crow Cider is one of our favorite spots.

Cider Fest is coming up October 8 - 11.

Autumn Prairie Pumpkins

Autumn Prairie Pumpkins is a family-run seed company in Newton growing more than 30 varieties of pumpkins and squash, with a focus on varieties that can better handle squash vine borers. What started as a backyard garden has grown into a seed business and The Pumpkin Bakery, a new cookbook featuring 40 seed-to-table recipes inspired by the varieties they grow.

Shocker Madness

This Saturday is Shocker Madness! Catch both mens and women’s teams for this free event.

You can even catch Kenyon Giles as he returns to Wichita State for his 5th year.

Tarantulas

Do you like spiders? If not, don’t read this article.

Kansas PRO Recyling Center

PRO Kansas Recycling has been helping Wichita recycle for years, accepting a wide range of materials while educating the community on what can and can’t be recycled. The nonprofit relies on volunteers and donations to keep things running, so if you’re looking for a hands-on way to help Wichita waste a little less, they could use the support.

4 Days in June

4 Days in June, a documentary taking viewers behind the scenes of Salina’s Smoky Hill River Festival, is coming to Wichita for a limited run October 1–4. The film will screen at Boulevard Theatres in Old Town and follows the people, art and community that bring the four-day Kansas festival to life.

Magic Treehouse

A family built a “magic treehouse” along the Redbud Trail, but the City of Andover says it has to come down. The family has until November 15 to remove the whimsical treehouse, which has become a fun surprise for people walking and biking the trail. There is even a petition to keep it.

An Autumn Affair

An Autumn Affair is bringing a fall-themed evening of shopping, food and seasonal fun to Wichita. Grab some friends, shop local vendors and enjoy a night out celebrating all things fall.

#9 Most Affordable Metro

Wichita was ranked the #9 most affordable U.S. metro for young people just starting out, according to a new study of the country’s 100 largest metros. Wichita stood out for having the 2nd-lowest cost of living and 3rd-lowest rent and utilities in the study, with average housing costs around $1,010 per month.

Harrison Ford Film

As you likely know, Harrison Ford used to come to Wichita on an annual basis to have his plane serviced and re-up his certifications. During that time, he would explore Wichita, visit his favorite restaurants, and snap a few pictures.

Next month, a film premieres documenting his time and relationship with Wichita.

Bulky Waste Disposal

Here is how to get rid of your bulky waste for free in Sedgwick County.

Latter-Day Saints Temple

The first Church of Jessus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in Kansas is open to the public now through 10/10 if you want to check it out.

💼 This Week’s Curated Jobs

Fresh opportunities from the Wichita Life Job Board!

📱 Creative Social Media Strategist — AMP Digital Marketing | Wichita
Create engaging social campaigns, develop content and help brands connect with their audiences across social platforms.
👉 Learn More & Apply

📣 Director of Development & Communications — Mental Health America of South Central Kansas | Wichita
Lead fundraising, communications and community engagement efforts for one of the region’s established mental health organizations.
👉 Learn More & Apply

📈 Associate Sales Representative – Peripheral Vascular — Stryker | Wichita
Join Stryker’s sales team supporting its peripheral vascular business, working alongside healthcare professionals throughout the Wichita area.

🔎 Browse more local jobs →