New entertainment district coming to west Wichita, starting with this business

There’s a new entertainment complex coming to the west side that’s not only a three-in-one business but also is the first of a planned collection of entertainment-related businesses at Estancia Plaza.

“There is a definite need for that in west Wichita,” said Estancia developer Marv Schellenberg.

Ray Baty, who spent 42 years with Joma Bowling Co., is opening a 32-lane bowling center with a large arcade and sports bar and grill just south of K-96 and east of Ridge Road. He’s calling it the Ridge.

Emerson Biggin’s and Hurricane Sports Grill owner Luis “Big Lou” Lopez II is consulting on the project and plans to come on board to operate the restaurant.

“I think it’s going to come together very nicely at the end of the day,” he said.

“I’m very excited because it’s what we need on the west (side). I’m tired of driving to the east side to do this kind of stuff.”

Estancia Plaza is a commercial area on Ridge Road from 37th Street North to K-96. That’s north of Schellenberg’s Estancia residential development.

There are medical and office buildings along Ridge Road, and Schellenberg plans entertainment venues along K-96 to capitalize on the visibility and accessibility of the area.

“It’s just a niche I think we can provide for west Wichita,” he said. “It’s kind of playing out as we had hoped, but these things just take time.”

When New York-based Bowlero Corp. acquired three Wichita Joma Bowling Co. bowling alleys last year, Baty chose to not stay with the new company, but he wasn’t ready to retire yet either.

Baty was approached by investors about Estancia, and he then he brought on Lopez.

“Lou’s been a longtime friend of ours.”

They’re breaking ground at the end of April or in early May and will be be ready to open in about a year.

In addition to the bowling lanes and arcade, there will be an outside area for dining and more games. The Ridge will be on five acres.

Baty said the restaurant will be full service and a stand-alone business for diners to visit even if they’re not bowling.

The restaurant, which Lopez hasn’t named yet, will have a focus on Kansas food, with proteins locally sourced from around the greater Wichita area.

“I always wanted to do that.”

Lopez said there will be appetizers, pizza, barbecue and burgers, “but how we put it together is Kansas grown.”

Estancia Plaza is on more than 40 acres, and Schellenberg said the development is market driven, meaning he’s filling the property with what’s in demand.

“We’ve been working on entertainment venues that we’re going to be putting up along 96 highway,” Schellenberg said.

He said there will more announcements coming in the next few months.

Schellenberg said he is pleased that someone like Baty, with such a long history in the bowling industry, is opening the Ridge.

“It’ll just be an excellent project.”

This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 4:47 AM.