Manager says beloved store is back at NewMarket Square but worries that not many know

A store manager along with a concerned reader are worried that not enough people know that Christopher & Banks is back at NewMarket Square.

The women’s store, which serves a more extensive range of sizes than a lot of retail outlets, has been a Wichita-area staple for decades.

In addition to Wichita stores, there were numerous ones in surrounding areas. By 2020, though, they all had closed.

Now, Christopher & Banks has been back at NewMarket Square for a few months, but the concern is it won’t be for long if not enough people know it’s there.

“We were the most successful in the community,” manager Marla Wantland said of the NewMarket Square store.

She said the store was beloved in Wichita and even attracted shoppers from surrounding communities. Some have rejoiced in its return.

“When people walk in, it’s like a family reunion,” Wantland said.

She said the hope is to “get the word throughout the entire city.”

A new corporation now owns the chain, but Wantland said it’s still the same store.

“We are absolutely the same,” she said. “We are old-fashioned service.”

She said as the new company, iMedia, began rolling out new stores, the NewMarket store was No. 6 on the list.

“The number-one request, I mean companywide,” Wantland said, “was please reopen our store.”

This story was originally published January 12, 2023 at 4:47 AM.