Good morning, Wichita!

Welcome back to the Wichita Life Update. The only email that is as refreshing as a sip of hot coffee on a cool fall day (which we will one day get, I hope).

Let’s get to it!

- Landon

p.s. Last call for our Wichita Life Dinner Club next week!

Open Streets ICT

Wichita is getting into that super duper busy season, but I’m here for it.

One of our favorite events of the year is this Sunday when 2 miles of Douglas shuts down from Grove St to Waco St for Open Streets ICT. No cars or motor vehicles are allowed, so there will be plenty of walking, biking, eating, and fun.

You can stop by one of the three activity hubs at Kennedy Plaza , Naftzger Park (where you can also check out Shop & Grub), and East High School.

Together with Kansas Health Foundation

No one should have to choose between seeking medical care and keeping food on the table, paying for gas, or missing a paycheck.

Yet, more than 1 in 10 Kansas adults delayed medical care this past year—not just because of high medical bills, but due to transportation costs and unpaid time off work.

Every Kansan deserves affordable care. That’s why the Kansas Health Foundation needs your voice to shape our future funding, programs, and policy.

Have you or someone you know delayed care due to cost? What would have helped?

Click here to share your ideas online or leave a message by calling 316.247.6007.

Interested in advertising with us?

LOCAL BUSINESS

Opening

Buckets Ca Phe (Vietnamese Coffee Shop) - 4100 E Harry St, Suite 40 - Now Open
Lashed by ATM - As I Am Studios - Now Open
Jersey Mike’s Subs (5th in Wichita) - Central and Hillside - Opening around Thanksgiving
Dugan Food Brands & Shirley’s Live Culture Yogurt (From Austin Dugan, founder of 86 Cold Press) - Now Open

Moving

Aerie (sister store to American Eagle) - moving from Towne East Square to Bradley Fair in former Williams-Sonoma space - Opening TBD
Mr. Diggs Dwelling & Co - Moving from First & St. Francis to NewMarket Square (near Marshalls) - New store will be ready by end of October

Store of the Future

Walmart at 53rd and Meridian is looking to the future as they remodel to their “store of the future” starting in early 2027 to the tune of $2.5 million.

STARTUP

Scroll UP

Wichita has a bunch of historically great companies.

Pizza Hut. Koch. White Castle. Coleman.

The next big one is TBD, but Up (a new social media platform) is trying to fill those big shoes.

Shoutout to my friend Jason who is part of their team!

NONPROFIT

Medical Equipment

Medical equipment is way too expensive.

Check out the Wichita Medical Loan Closet.

Music Theatre Wichita

Music Theatre Wichita is one step closer to opening its new performing arts center!

The Wichita City Council unanimously approved approximately $1.5 million in sales tax exemptions to help transform the former Webster Elementary School at 640 N. Emporia into the Judy Slawson Center for Musical Theatre.

The new space will feature two intimate theaters, a café, classrooms, rehearsal spaces and administrative offices. Music Theatre Wichita will continue its summer productions at Century II while expanding its educational programs and smaller performances at the new center.

If you didn’t know, MTW is one of the best orgs that people don’t talk enough about in Wichita. It is truly one of the best steps to and from Broadway stage (yes, the Broadway stage in NYC).

Recovery Idol

Wichita’s 12th annual Recovery Idol is coming to Century II on Saturday, September 19, at 6 p.m. The event features musical performances by people in recovery and guest speaker Jimmy McGill, celebrating second chances while raising funds for Crossover Recovery Center. Admission is free, with a suggested $15 donation.

Together with McCurdy Real Estate & Auction

If I had a nickel for every time I heard a friend lose out on buying a home in the last year or two, I’d have more than a couple nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but weird it keeps happening.

Luckily there is an alternative to traditional real estate. McCurdy Real Estate & Auction offers auctions that level the playing field. Click here to learn more.

CIVIL

Calling all Wichita Artists

Applications are now open for the City of Wichita’s 2027 Activation Grants, offering one-time funding for artists, artist groups and arts organizations. Past projects include Eva Cummings’ mural, which celebrates the idea that art belongs to everyone, regardless of ability. Have a creative project in mind? Learn more and apply here!

Beyond the Ballot

I’m not going to pretend like I understand bond issues, but I’ll lean on my friends at the Wichita Business Journal to dive into the upcoming Wichita school bond issue.

LOCAL

Wichita Riverfest Town Hall

Come make your voice heard regarding Wichita Riverfest at WSU tonight! Free pizza!