Dining With Denise Neil

Last day for west-side Wichita restaurant is Dec. 31, then a move across town

The last call for The Sweet Spot at its original address at 8448 W. Central will be on New Year’s Eve.
The last call for The Sweet Spot at its original address at 8448 W. Central will be on New Year’s Eve. The Wichita Eagle

Back in October, I reported that the vacant Doma restaurant building that sits northeast of Towne East Square was getting a new tenant: The Sweet Spot, whose owners Julie and George Yang had decided to move their 5-year-old restaurant from its home of five years at 8448 W. Central into the much larger building.

Now, we have dates.

Julie Yang says that the last day for fine dining restaurant The Sweet Spot at its current address near Central and Tyler will be Dec. 31. That day, the restaurant will be offering a special New Year’s Eve dinner that will allow customers to see the space one last time.

Then, on Thursday, Jan. 9, the restaurant will reopen in the old Doma building at 7703 E. Douglas.

The Sweet Spot signs have been up for several weeks on the building, which has been vacant since Doma suddenly closed early last January after two years in business.

Signs are up for the new location of The Sweet Spot. The restaurant is moving there from West Central and will reopen at its new address on Jan. 9.
Signs are up for the new location of The Sweet Spot. The restaurant is moving there from West Central and will reopen at its new address on Jan. 9. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle

The Yangs have said they wanted the Doma building — which for years before Doma was home to a Carlos O’Kelly’s — because of its massive square footage and big patio. They were turning away events on West Central because the space was just too small.

Since they announced the move, crews have been remodeling the interior of the new space, painting over the old murals that were on Doma’s walls and installing new flooring, lighting and tables and chairs. They’re also adding some half-circle booths.

The Yangs purchased not only the Doma building but also the neighboring restaurant building at 7607 E. Douglas. Its most recent tenant was the straightforwardly named Super Buffet, which closed in 2020. The building also was the longtime home of Joe Kelly’s Oyster Dock from 1983 until 2004.

The next-door building will be home of a seafood and sushi grill named Super East Buffet, but it likely won’t be ready until spring 2025 at the earliest.

The Yangs also are the local franchisees for KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, the all-you-can-eat restaurant chain that opened in October to big crowds at Towne East Square. They’re also planning to turn the former Jose Pepper’s spot at 2243 N. Tyler Road into a west-side KPOT but haven’t shared an opening date yet.

Meanwhile, The Sweet Spot space on West Central is up for lease.

The New Year’s Eve dinner at the original location of The Sweet Spot will include a “flashback” menu that includes several of the year’s favorite specials, all chosen by head chef Preston Darnell. It will last from 4 to 10 p.m., and the regular menu will not be served.

Reservations are being accepted at 316-260-4999

Read Next
Read Next
Read Next

This story was originally published December 27, 2024 at 12:46 PM.

Denise Neil
The Wichita Eagle
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.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER