What's a MUST SEE for a 1st time visitor to Bricktown?

[BDP]

try battling "Dorothy and the Land of Oz" all the time!!!!

I'd rather battle Dorothy than Steinbeck, anyday.

[Patrick]

Hey terrared, as the others said, you might not be too impressed with Bricktown...your Old Town looks very nice. I didn't realize Wichita had such a nice downtown development. I'm impressed.

Bricktown has developed itself nicely as a restaurant district, but unfortunately, we're a little short on the retail side. I'd imagine that will be the next wave to hit Bricktown. With new stores like Firefly and Boone's General Store soon to open, I'd imagine retail will come to Bricktown soon. In the meantime try to hit Laughing Fish Gift Shop, Native America Art and Jewelry, Painted Door Gallery, and Bass Pro.

As I said before, Bricktown is still a work in progress and it's nowhere near being done. If you come with that in mind, maybe you'll come with a little different perspective.

BTW, you guys in Wichita have something to be proud of. We all wish Bricktown was more like your Old Town.

[Patrick]

Sounds like Old Town Wichita is definitely a lot further along than Bricktown. It's more like what we hope Bricktown becomes...a densely mixed urban collection of residential, retail, restaurants, and offices.

And to top it off, the Full-Line Market, an upscale grocery store...exactly what we've been looking for for Bricktown:

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"Full-Line Market in Old Town Keeps Late Hours

Full-Line Market in Old Town Keeps Late Hours By charley whitworth Old Town Gazette
“We’re here for the six-figure earners in condos and the efficiency dwellers with three jobs.”

The “here” is Old Town Market, which opened mid-May at 626 E. Douglas. The “we” are Midtown neighbors Michael Shea and Lisa Walcher, who are not only partners in the new store but friends all the way back to junior high in College Hill.

The explosion of apartments promised by all the conversions in downtown prompted Shea to scout out the storefront and invest in remodeling to include Old Town Wine and Spirits.

“I added the ‘Wine’ so I wouldn’t get calls for seances,” he said. Both the New York-style bodega that provides the necessities and niceties essential to urban dwellers and the medium- to high-end potables in the liquor store have been welcomed by Old Town residents and workers. The two native Wichitans are ecstatic that their travels as far away as New York has brought them back into a joint venture that “prices like a small town grocery and promises personal service, including phone orders and deliveries.”

The past few years have seen a succession of restaurants in the building, including Herb Garden, Habaneros, and 626. Shea guarantees, however, “We will do everything for you but cook the meal.” The frozen case will include a selection of fine meats or complete meals -- “not frozen TV dinners,” he said. Complement the meal with a pre-made salad or fresh produce.

“We hope to feature Kansas produce from the Farm & Art Market,” he added. For the starving student, bartender or bus person, there are the staples of dorm life, from chips and salsa to snack cakes and Ramen noodles or macaroni and cheese.

For dessert there are Blue Bunny and Haagen Das ice creams. Pet supplies, baby needs and household cleaning supplies are racked and ready. “Let us know what you need stocked,” Shea said. “We have a great wholesale connection. They have given us tips and suggestions that work and have made getting started easier.”

Something no other store has is “Jack’s Corner.” Jack is Walcher’s 10-year-old son who chooses the stock and looks after it, and is plowing the profits back into toys, candy and other things to attract kids of all ages. On a more adult level, the adjoining Old Town Wine and Spirits will feature popular brands of beer, including Pabst Blue Ribbon, Budweiser and Coors. Shea also will stock several import labels and micro brews. Wines and spirits will be mid-range in price (nothing extra cheap or low grade, and very few items more than $20). The average wines will range from $6-$10.

The market will be open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Parking is available south across Douglas or north behind the store’s convenient, well-lit rear entrance. Much of the current store traffic is on foot from surrounding apartments and offices.

To place an order for pickup or delivery, or for more information, call 558-5220. "

[Patrick]

"Lofts at Old Town Square: It’s All About Location

Lofts at Old Town Square: It’s All About Location Old Town Gazette By Lori Braun
“I feel like I live where everyone else wants to live,” Ricky Cravens said of his new home in Lofts at Old Town Square. Opening last October, Lofts is one of the newest options in downtown living. Its location at 330 N. Mead (although the entrance is actually 331 N. Rock Island) puts Lofts in the heart of Old Town Square.While most downtown living options are renovated buildings, Lofts is brand new, and residents seem to really like that. The style is very modern and very unique – but that isn’t even the best part.

“(Lofts) by far has the best location and the best environment,” said Cravens, whose job brought him from Kansas City to Wichita a few months ago. He said he looked for two weeks at numerous housing options in the area. He happened upon Old Town Square by accident and said, “I want to live there.” Little did he know he was looking right at Lofts, and they had an opening.

Crissy Wells, assistant manager of Lofts, agreed most residents choose the lofts because of the location.

“We have a great location … there is a lot of activity in the square,” she said. Residents can find a wide variety of restaurants and shops, the Warren movie theater, nightclubs and much more, all within walking distance. Plus, they are amidst the downtown renovations, aiming to make downtown and Old Town the life of the city again.

“I like that they are renovating everything,” Cravens said. “It’s old and classy with a touch of modern, very eclectic.”

In addition to the great location, Lofts has some great amenities. There is underground parking, plus a washer/dryer and walkout patio in every unit. Add to this the great design of the lofts: each a little different, but all are very open and full of space.

Rent ranges from $780 to $950 for one bedroom (price varies depending on location and square footage) and $1,100 for two bedrooms. Residents also are responsible for the electric, which, according to Cravens, is inexpensive.

“When I moved in, they told me the units had good climate control, but I thought they were just saying that,” hr said. He was a believer after seeing his electric bill was pretty low, even with the air conditioner running almost constantly.

With 15 units in all, space is very limited. Many of those who have taken up residence at Lofts are professionals, ranging in age from 23 to 60. “Everyone here seems to be pretty active,” Cravens said. “I’ll be leaving and the garage is full … next time the garage will be completely empty.” Although Cravens said he lives “in the perfect loft,” no place can be without its faults. Every place has little things go wrong, but the management at Lofts quickly takes care of such incidences.

“Once in a blue moon, you’ll hear a drunk outside or someone squeal their tires in the parking garage, and when the windows are open, it seems to echo,” Cravens said. He added, though, that he doesn’t expect them to be quiet, since they probably think there are just businesses in the area. In the end, the benefits definitely outweigh the annoying at the Lofts.

For more information about living at Lofts or for a tour, call Wells at 264-0523. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. As Cravens said, “We all pay rent, so you might as well live where you want to live.” "