đŸŒŸ The Future of Towne West Mall

What would you do with it?

Author

Landon Huslig
July 14, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Wichita!

Let's get to it!

- Landon

The Future of Towne West Mall

All the tenants outside of Boulevard Theatre, Dillard’s Clearance, and JCPenney had to exit Towne West by this month after ownership changed hands.

Now plans are starting to come out about the future of the west side mall.

Its next life will be as a “Wichita Business Park” where developers will invest $35 million into industrial and office space. The goal is to have businesses start moving in starting in early 2026.

The outside of the building will be repainted soon to make it a bit easier on the eyes as well.

Friendly reminder - Boulevard Theatre is NOT closed at Towne West - they are open 5 days a week. Their Old Town kitchen and theatre are also open. Parking in old Town is free as of now (according to Boulevard Theatre email). They also offer $2 kid movies on Mondays and offer in Spanish at Towne West!

Together with RAHA Mediterranean

If you’ve ever had Fio Rito, you know the chefs are top notch.

Coming from the people who brought you Fio Rito and located inside Tap N Paddles is a brand new mediterranean restaurants called RAHA!

It is now open and we highly recommend you go check it out ASAP!

LOCAL BUSINESS

Opening

Closing

New Market Square

The final Kids Summer Series event at NewMarket Square is tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10 - 11:30am!

Head to the premiere West Side shopping center to get up close and personal with the Wildlife Experience with Tanganyika Wildlife Park.

This is a (free) chance for your kids to interact with a real sloth and penguin up close! There will also be face painting, snow cones, and snacks after!

This is at NewMarket Square, NOT at Tanganyika.

Dillons Renovations

Dillons at Harry at Webb is getting a $1.25 million face lift. The location at 31st and Seneca will be as getting renovated as well.

STARTUP

Dads Care 2

Shout out to Dennis Fontelroy aka Brother Dennis who started Dads Care 2 to offer legal support, job training, and parenting classes.

Together with TapNPaddles

TapNPaddles is a great place to escape, play, and relax.

It was built to bring people together through the fast-growing and addiction game of pickleball.

If you’re competitive, it’s for you.

If you just want to play recreational, it’s for you.

Honestly, it is for everyone and you should give it a try!

CIVIL

Update on Water

This is an update from last Tuesday’s City Council meeting:

Water restrictions will stay in place until next year (probably) as the city is already seeing effects of evaporation on Cheney Lake (the cities water supply).

Even after June being the 6th wettest in history and recent rains bringing Cheney Lake up to 97% full, the 12-month running average is still only at 63% and is the main metric used to evaluate restrictions.

City of Wichita ID Card

The City of Wichita is now offering a free, low barrier ID to enable residents to utilize City services and help support their full participation in society (i.e. employment eligibility verification, provide job opportunities to individuals without verified id, etc).

The City of Wichita ID is FREE and available to all Wichita residents ages 14 and older.

Wichita Documenters

Come learn how to help make Wichita a better, more informed place AND get paid for it. RSVP here.

LOCAL

Pygmy Hippo

If you thought you knew how cute a tiny pygmy hippo is, you were probably underestimating the cuteness.

Welcome the new little hip-hop-anonymous to Tanganyika Wildlife Park (born on June 26th at just 13 lbs). There are less than 3000 of this type of hippo in the wild.

If you want to be one of the first people to meet this adorable new addition, you can get exclusive access starting August 1 during their Hippo Family Meet & Greet.

Calling Local Artists

There are a couple great opportunities for local artists:

  • Tanganyika has 12 3-foot blank penguins that need to be handprinted by talented local artists. If selected, you get $1000 for labor and supplies. Just email [email protected] to submit your name, contact info, and rendering of what you would paint by 7/30.

  • The City of Wichita has put out a Request for Proposals for 14 sculptures to be placed on the existing pedestals located throughout Old Town, Downtown, and Delano. Submit your existing or conceptual sculptures for consideration with a budget of $8-14k per artwork. Submissions end July 22nd.

Fundraiser

Enter to win a 2026 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Motorcycle where all funds will go to support two amazing organizations - Pass It On Mentors and Shepherd’s Way. I am good friends with the people who run these organizations and the money could not go to a better cause.

Community Voice

Congrats to The Community Voice on 30 years of serving the Wichita community! The Community Voice is a trusted sources of news and info for African-American communities of Kansas and the KC metro area.

Family Promise Gala

Sign up for the 2025 Family Promise Gala on October 23rd to empower families with children to overcome homelessness and housing insecurity.

ICT EXTRA

Army Worms

Watch out for those army worms. There is an army of them.

$2 Million Home

What does a nearly $2 million home look like in Wichita? Pretty awesome.

Click the banner above to view the full event calendar

Monday 7/14

Tuesday 7/15

Wednesday 7/16

Thursday 7/17

LIVE MUSIC

Don't see your concert or show here?

SPORTS

Shocker Volleyball

You see those awesome new WSU Volleyball unis? Just do it.

The Basketball Tournament (TBT)

Do you have your tickets to the The Basketball Tournament (TBT) yet? It is the $1 million winner-take-all basketball tournament, is returning to Charles Koch Arena in Wichita starting July 18!

Cheer on AfterShocks, the Wichita State alumni team, as they return home to host a TBT at the RoundHousel! Led by Wichita State legends Conner Frankamp and Markis McDuffie, the former Shockers are ready to compete against alumni teams from across the country for $1 million in front of their home crowd.

đŸ”„Wichita Life is excited to partner with TBT to offer families 15% off single-session tickets with code WICH15!

To activate the code, click on "enter promo code here" during seat selection)

NBC World Series

Get your tickets to the NBC World Series coming July 24 - August 2! Kids get in free all week when they sign up for the FREE kids club!

*Bold = Home

That's it for today! Send this to someone who misses Towne West.

Thanks!

- Landon