The plans for this Wichita restaurant are off amid COVID-19 uncertainty

The former Coney Island Hot Weiners building at the corner of Douglas and Walnut in Wichita’s Delano neighborhood was so close to getting a new restaurant tenant.

But the COVID-19 pandemic took care of that.

“For lease” signs are back up in the windows of the space at 1001 W. Douglas, where Matt Bauer and a partner were planning to open a new slider restaurant. They outlined their plans for Slider Shak back in May.

But now, the deal is off. The partners said they ultimately decided they couldn’t fight all the uncertainty that came with trying to open a new business during the COVID-19 pandemic. They moved all of their equipment out of the building a few weeks ago.

Coney Island was the previous tenant of the space, and its owners performed a major remodel inside. But they vacated in January after less than six months in business.

Denise Neil

The Wichita Eagle

316-268-6327

Denise Neil has covered restaurants and entertainment since 1997. Her Dining with Denise Facebook page is the go-to place for diners to get information about local restaurants. She’s a regular judge at local food competitions and speaks to groups all over Wichita about dining.