Open and shut: tracking what’s up with various Wichita businesses during pandemic

Businesses across Wichita continue to grapple with operating during the coronavirus pandemic.

Janelle King had closed her Workroom at First and Cleveland from March 16 to May 2, then reopened and now is temporarily closing again.

She said she’s been watching the advancement of the virus in Wichita and across the country and what it might mean for closing once more.

“It was just mentally preparing for that possibility and what that would look like and when that feels appropriate,” she said. “I have just always trusted my gut.”

King said she was already thinking about closing for a couple of weeks because she knew she’d have more business coming with her July 11 2nd Saturday Artisan Market.

Then one of her employees was exposed to someone with the coronavirus. That employee is now being tested, although King said none of her employees has the virus that she knows of.

“We’re just wanting to take all precautions . . . so we can have a good, safe reopening for the market.”

The Workroom still is taking online and curbside orders, and King’s Birney’s Snack Shop next door is still doing to-go orders.

The businesses will reopen with the market.

“That is the plan,” King said. “Obviously things are fluid right now.”

She said it’s been a difficult time, especially since it’s a challenge to run a business even during nonpandemic times.

“The weight of it all is just a lot, but we’ll get through it.”

Hana restaurant and Bella Luz

At Hana in Old Town Square, Eunice Kim had only reopened her business March 2 following remodeling that began last summer when she had to close again on March 18 due to the coronavirus.

Now, she’s looking at reopening on a limited basis for two weeks, lunch only, on July 6.

The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday for those two weeks.

On July 20, Hana will reopen for dinner, too.

Kim said she has a couple of sushi chefs, one of whom has been traveling elsewhere and is now quarantining. That’s part of why she’s holding off on dinner service for now.

The other reason is Kim said it’s hard to entice employees to return to work because they’re collecting unemployment.

“A lot of people, they don’t want to come to work now.”

She says the unemployment will run out in July.

Also in Old Town Square, Bella Luz — the store known in part for having all the Keeper of the Plains replicas in its windows — is temporarily closed. That’s according to a sign at the business. However, all of its merchandise is gone from the building.

The owner couldn’t be reached for comment.

Look for more information as it becomes available.

Key Construction and Market Advisory Group

In Oklahoma, Wichita’s Key Construction consolidated its two offices.

In an e-mail statement, Key president Dave Wells said the company’s Oklahoma City office is now part of the Tulsa office.

“Prior to opening an office in Oklahoma City 4 years ago, the region was served by our Tulsa and National Accounts divisions,” Wells said in the e-mail. “These divisions will again serve the OKC area, as it is still a valued market for Key. This recent adjustment will enhance our ability to provide quality construction and outstanding customer service.”

Finally, at least for today’s roundup of what’s happening with Wichita businesses, Market Advisory Group continues its expansion across the greater Kansas City area.

The firm, which is based in Wichita, added Market Tax Services in late 2018.

Over the past year, Market Advisory Group partner Matt Goolsby said his team has been developing a relationship with CPA Denise Fears, who is based in Independence, Mo.

“She ended up merging with us,” he said.

Goolsby said it will give the firm a new presence in the east Kansas City area. It already expanded to north Kansas City, Mo., and Prairie Village.

Joshua Cicora is the main partner in Market Tax Services. For now, the new office will be known as Fears Cicora, a division of Market Tax Services, before it transitions to the Market Advisory Group name next year.

“We want her customers to know that she’s still here,” Goolsby said of Fears.

Fears has been in business three decades and serves on the local school board.

“She’s really well respected,” Goolsby said.

The new office opens July 1.

Goolsby said the firm’s next expansion news will be closer to home. Look for it possibly in the next month or so.

This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 2:46 PM.