Larkspur owner Ty Issa becomes a partner in Ya Ya's Eurobistro at Bradley Fair

WICHITA — Larkspur owner Ty Issa has acquired an interest in Ya Ya's Eurobistro at Bradley Fair.

"We've been talking about this for years," Issa says. "We're fortunate to come on board."

Earlier this month, Paul Khoury of Kansas City's PB&J Restaurants, which owns the Ya Ya's chain, told Have You Heard? the restaurant wasn't selling. It looks like negotiations have been on and off.

Issa is still negotiating for his family's TI Investment to have an interest in PB&J's Newport Grill, which also is in Bradley Fair.

Issa says there are a number of ongoing talks.

"I have some ideas, they have some ideas. So you know, that's all what it is."

Khoury's son, Patrick, will handle day-to-day operations at Ya Ya's. Issa won't have a huge presence there.

"Here's been my concern," Issa says. "I don't want to confuse people."

Issa says he'll still be a daily presence at Larkspur in Old Town.

"Nothing's going to change. It's just a great merger with them."

Not that he won't be popping into Ya Ya's regularly.

"I just want to come in and dine and not pay."

This story was originally published January 10, 2012 at 4:14 PM.