The Shadow to close next month

WICHITA — After June 19, Wichitans will no longer see their Shadow.The 7-year-old bar near Central and Rock is closing.

"It's definitely tough to step aside," says general manager Mike Cline, whose mother, Diane, owns the bar.

"We have a couple of prospective buyers," Mike Cline says.

If a sale doesn't happen, the business will close.

"We just want to make sure people know that through June 19, it's business as usual," Cline says.

He says there are a lot of reasons the Shadow is closing.

"Business has been down," Cline says. "It's not the same as it used to be."

The Shadow opened in the former Grape space after that owner declared bankruptcy.

Mike Cline says a lot has happened at the bar in the years since, including weddings, parties and fundraisers.

On its last weekend, the Shadow will host the Red White and Blues benefit for Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters on June 18 and plans a big party for the final night on June 19.

"That will be a whole weekend of going out in style."

This story was originally published May 27, 2010 at 12:57 PM with the headline "The Shadow to close next month."