Carry A. Nation and her hatchet soon will overlook a new downtown Wichita bar

Along with the stores and vendors coming to Eaton Place this spring, there’s going to be a new bar called Bubbles.

In addition to being a new drinking hole for downtown, this bar is notable because it’s going where another one used to be — the same one teetotaler and temperance flag bearer Carry A. Nation once took a hatchet to.

Her statue, including a hatchet, keeps an eye on the corner space at Douglas and St. Francis across from Naftzger Park where businesswoman Janelle King is planning the collection of businesses.

That’s where she’s moving her Workroom and incubator space, which Blackprint currently occupies at First and Cleveland.

Planterior also is opening a storefront there, and King is opening a new venture called the Ballroom Collective with a rotating group of vendors.

While the Collective, Planterior and the incubator space likely will keep traditional retail hours, Bubbles and the Workroom will be open into the evening.

King said they’ll have the feel of a hotel lobby with lounge seating. Customers also can shop and drink.

Or, they can sit at bar seating. Altogether, there will be about 30 seats.

The bar that Nation took a hatchet to is no longer there, but King found a vintage one she’s putting in its place.

“I found a really cool architectural salvage,” she said.

She’s having it restored.

King is calling Bubbles a champagne bar, though it will have a traditional mix of drinks along with mocktails, sparking wine, Prosecco on tap and Miller High Life, which is known as “the champagne of beers.”

She’ll also have themed drinks such as the Hatchet and Temperance Fizz.

Bubbles also will serve pastries and desserts along with espresso and weekend brunches.

It’ll all happen, King said, with “our lovely Carry Nation that’s peeking in on us.”

This story was originally published March 18, 2024 at 4:04 AM.