Dynamic business moves in Wichita retail industry

Businesses in Wichita embrace strategic shifts through openings, expansions, acquisitions, and closures to transform the retail landscape.

Powell Jewelry showcases a grand reopening under new ownership. The store, known for custom engagement rings, integrates an online focus to attract young customers. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty acquires the residential division of J.P. Weigand leading to a significant merger in the real estate market.

A fire forces Beau Monde Spa & Boutique and Aesthetic Solutions to temporarily relocate, enabling them to plan for future expansions. The closure of Barney’s Discount Drug prompts auctions to manage leftover merchandise as the owners decide to shut down the longstanding store.

NO. 1: ONE OF WICHITA’S OLDEST STORES IS CELEBRATING A GRAND REOPENING WITH NEW OWNERS

A store that opened in downtown Wichita in 1932 is now celebrating a grand reopening under its new owners. | Published May 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carrie Rengers

NO. 2: THIS WEST-SIDE CENTER HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL, DEVELOPERS ARE WORKING ON A SECOND PHASE

A retail center at 37th and North Ridge Road has been so successful, brothers Brian and Paul Suellentrop are working on a second phase. | Published May 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carrie Rengers

NO. 3: WICHITA’S J.P. WEIGAND SELLING RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE DIVISION TO LOCAL COMPETITOR

Memos about the deal were sent to employees of both companies Monday. | Published May 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil and Carrie Rengers

NO. 4: LONGTIME WICHITA BUSINESS TO BE AUCTIONED, AND IT’S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS

The first of a couple of auctions at Barney’s Discount Drug begins on Wednesday with a variety of merchandise. A second auction will be for store fixtures. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carrie Rengers

NO. 5: WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE BLING CHAIN, AND WHAT BUSINESS NOW IS REPLACING IT?

Bling founder Nicole Hedges-Campos had mostly stepped away from that chain, which is now closed, but she’s opening a new concept. | Published June 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carrie Rengers

NO. 6: CATASTROPHIC FIRE CHANGES TIMING FOR TWO EAST-SIDE WICHITA BUSINESSES TO RENOVATE, EXPAND

The owners of Beau Monde Spa & Boutique and their sister business, Aesthetic Solutions, already were planning renovations and expansions before a June 8 fire. | Published June 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carrie Rengers

NO. 7: SCHEELS IS THE DRIVER BEHIND THIS NEW RETAIL CENTER THAT WILL BE BUILT BY TOWNE EAST

For years, there’s been a vacant piece of land just west of Towne East Square. Finally, it’s about to see new life with a new retail center. | Published June 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carrie Rengers

NO. 8: FORMER HEALING WATERS SPACE AT BRADLEY FAIR TO BE TEMPORARY HOME TO TWO BUSINESSES

Two Wichita businesses that aren’t actually pop-up stores will be popping up in the former Healing Waters space at Bradley Fair. | Published July 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carrie Rengers

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.