Print edition: 
Yoder Meats is expanding its Wichita presence by taking over the former Kline's Meats location near Maple and Maize Road.
"We just stepped in and bought that equipment and will be opening that location up the first of November," says owner Alan Waggoner .
In addition to the Yoder Meats retail shop in Yoder, the company has stores in Normandie Center at Central and Woodlawn, and at 798 N. West St.
"We've had a lot of requests and demands from the far west side of Wichita," Waggoner says.
"People only travel so far," he says. "I think that's why there's a Dillons on nearly every corner."
Waggoner says there will be about six miles between each of his stores.
"They're all very even across the city."
So is the far east side next on his agenda?
"Far east Wichita is something I'd look at, but probably not before I'd considered Rose Hill or Derby," Waggoner says.
There's also a Yoder Meats plant in Yoder.
"We have local products from local farms," Waggoner says. "We process most all of our product here in Yoder from a three-county area."
The newest store will be open Monday through Saturday, as is the Normandie store.
Waggoner says the West Street Yoder Meats also is open Sunday afternoons.
"Just so, you know, if somebody wants something, they can drive a few miles, but they can get it."
Musical pubs
In July, Have You Heard? reported how Charlie Badeen and David Allan are trying to cover all their bases around Wichita by opening the new Joe's Old Town Bar and Grill in Old Town .
The two already have Dudley's Sports Bar and Grill on the west side near 21st and Tyler Road; Mulligan's Pub on the east side near 32nd Street North and Rock Road; and O'Brien's Irish Pub along East Kellogg by Scotch & Sirloin .
Now, though, they're selling Mulligan's and O'Brien's. It looks like the sale will allow them to focus on opening Joe's in late October or early November and continue running Dudley's.
Joe's, which will be at 222 N. Washington, will be similar to Dudley's. It's known for its burgers, pizza and bar food. Joe's also will offer some lighter fare for business lunches and dinners.
Brad Beyer, formerly of Mike's Wine Dive , will be the manager and chef.
At O'Brien's, Michael Todd and Andey Ast are taking over and renaming it Encore Restaurant and Nightclub . Encore's grand opening is Nov. 5.
Todd, who has been in construction since age 18, says he's "just kind of tired of banging a hammer."
He likes O'Brien's location on East Kellogg, and he also likes the numbers he's seen for the business.
"It seems like it's a doable deal."
He and Ast plan to offer live music daily. They'll keep some of O'Brien's appetizers, pizza and burgers.
"We'll incorporate some of our ideas over time," Todd says.
If it goes well, he says, they hope to open on the west side within a year or two as well.
Derek Aalders, who's currently at Quincy's , will be Mulligan's new managing partner.
He'll give the bar and restaurant, which is known for its pizza, a facelift but will keep the same name and menu.
The deals for Mulligan's and O'Brien's aren't done yet but will be soon.
No place to Sit
Sit @ Thai Express in the former Taco Shop space on Central near Oliver has closed.
Owner Nikki Phumsawarng says there were internal management problems.
"They cannot improve for me ... so we decided to close."
Phumsawarng still has Sit @ Thai Bistro on 21st Street near Ridge Road. That restaurant, which is larger than the Express version, opened in 2009.
Phumsawarng hopes to open another restaurant concept and is looking for new space.
You don't say
"I thought someone asked how much I weigh. He asked if I'd been to NuWay ."
—New Wichita Eagle president and publisher Kim Nussbaum , speaking to the Wichita chapter of the Public Relations Society of America on Tuesday
