Upcoming Projects in Downtown Wichita Excite Old Town Business Owners
Published Aug 17, 2009
Various cultural offerings and new living spaces are drawing more people to the Old Town district.
Two years ago‚ the Old Town Merchants Association dropped the “Merchants” from its name. Obviously‚ its members knew what the future held for downtown Wichita’s historic business district.
“There are so many entities involved now‚ from residents to commercial property owners to merchants‚ we felt we needed to expand our reach‚” says Redstone Design Development’s Whitney Vliet Ward‚ Old Town Association’s current president. “There have been a lot of changes over the life of the association.”
Ward has been there for a lot of them. Her parents owned and operated businesses in downtown Wichita in the 1970s and 1980s‚ so she’s able to take the long view when looking at Old Town’s vibrant growth.
“One of the biggest changes has been the involvement of the residents‚ who have been very involved and supportive‚” she says. “It’s so nice to see people get involved‚ from residents to property and business owners.
It’s really been quite refreshing and such a great thing.”
The association‚ which has 48 retail and personal-service shops‚ three museums‚ three theaters‚ 17 restaurants‚ 15 bars/clubs‚ 49 offices‚ six apartment projects‚ two hotels/conference centers and two condominium buildings among its current members‚ stands ready to meet that traffic head-on.
“When I see people walking up and down the streets‚ jumping on the trolley‚ grabbing lunch‚ I just want to pinch myself‚” Ward says. “I can’t wait to see what happens when even more people are exposed to Old Town.”
Story by Joe Morris
Photo by Wes Aldridge
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