College Hill is getting a new store ‘for men and man’s best friend’

Last fall when Allison Baker told Have You Heard? that she’d be opening a new store in Lincoln Heights Village, she couldn’t share too many details because she didn’t know them yet.

All she knew for sure is that she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get the former Maxine’s space next to her Vault Collection on the east end of the center, which is at the southwest corner of Douglas and Oliver.

Now, she’s finalized her plans and is opening Frank & Fido, which she’s calling “a store for men and man’s best friend,” on Wednesday.

Baker also owns Aspen Boutique across Douglas from Lincoln Heights, and she said she’s always wanted to add men’s apparel and accessories there but never has had the space.

About half of her new store will be for men, who already come to the center in part for a barbershop there, so Baker said it’s a nice fit.

The rest is going to the dogs.

“College Hill is a neighborhood where people are out walking their dogs all the time,” Baker said.

She said that makes that part of the business a great fit, too.

Baker, who has three dogs herself, will sell accessories for dogs of all sizes. That includes a variety of stuffies and dog beds in “really cool, fun fabrics.”

She’ll also have “really cute dog leashes and matching dog collars” and doggy booties, too.

There will be homemade dog treats in a variety of flavors as well.

For men, Baker said, “We’re trying to carry brands that you’re not going to find in other places in Wichita.”

On the higher end, that includes Filson outdoor gear and Stitch Note clothing.

Ben Sherman is a more youthful brand, and True Classic has a lot of T-shirts, polos and jeans. Grayers also is a more casual brand of pants and shirts.

The store will offer snap shirts and novelty socks as well.

“I expect that we’ll have something for everyone on price point,” Baker said.

Frank & Fido also will carry the Brett’s Bad Ass line from Bungalow 26 in Delano with products such as mustache wax, beard balm and oil, muscle tonic and soak and hand salve.

The store also will have hats from Levi Fitzmier’s Flatlands Supply Co.

“Product is still coming in every day,” Baker.

Eventually, there will be leather-branded Frank & Fido bags and shirts, dopp kits and watch cases.

The store will be open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at least initially, Tuesday through Saturday.

There is an opening between it and the Vault Collection, Baker’s home furnishings and furniture shop.

“We are still working on hiring, but the intent is to have both stores open similar hours and days of the week,” she said.

As her concept for the space was starting to come together, Baker said she knew she wanted to incorporate the name Fido to let people immediately know there would be something for dogs.

As for Frank, she said she wanted to think of a sophisticated name — think Frank Sinatra — to convey what else the store has.

Baker said she’s especially excited to be opening at third store at the intersection.

“I love the College Hill neighborhood. I love where we’re at.”

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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 4:04 AM.