Building that once held Wichita’s Walt’s Klassics to be auctioned, must be moved off lot

Here’s your chance to buy your very own prefab diner.

In a couple of weeks, the metal building at 616 S. Tyler that until March was home to burger restaurant Walt’s Klassics will go on the auction block. The new owners of the property — Lange Real Estate — need the building moved to make way for new plans they have for the lot.

Those new plans? Lange Real Estate brand manager Joe Robertson said that he can’t share specific details just yet, but the company is working on redeveloping the lot, and the finished product will involve the addition of up to two new restaurant concepts.

But the first step is selling the building that now occupies the lot. The auction, which will be online, will open on July 19 and wrap up on July 28. Details can be found at langere.com

The building, which was manufactured in 1997, was made to be movable. It’s a 2,135 square-foot modular Starlite diner unit whose interior has a 1950s look complete with checkered floors, steel and Formica tables and a dining counter with seven bar stools. The winner will get all the kitchen equipment inside and will be responsible for getting the building off the lot.

Bidding will start at $5,000. An open house, where prospective buyers can view the building, is set for 4 to 6 p.m. on July 18.

Walt’s Klassics, which opened in 1997, had its last day of business on March 30. Shannon Seiter, who for 25 years ran the restaurant that her parents, Ken and Lou Doss, owned, made an emotional post on the restaurant’s Facebook page announcing the closing. She now works at the Walt’s at 800 E. Ross St. in Clearwater and says she misses her customers from Kellogg and Tyler.

Seiter’s brother, Brent J. Doss, ran the Walt’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers at 2420 Oliver for more than 20 years, but it closed two years ago after he died suddenly.

“He did such a wonderful job and he was truly missed by the community after his passing,” Seiter said.

Stay tuned for more information about Lange Real Estate’s plans for the lot at 616 S. Tyler.

This story was originally published July 6, 2022 at 2:54 PM.

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.