🌾 The End of Free Parking (Or is it?)


December 20, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Wichita!

I'll stop bringing it up after today, but you have approximately 13 hours left to enter our 12 Days of Giveaways!

You can enter over on our Instagram or by sharing this link:

[RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]

Today's giveaway is $500 in gift cards to 5 of the best food spots in Wichita.

Let's get to it!

- Landon Huslig

NEWS

The End of Free Parking

The verdict is in.

Starting in the summer of 2025, downtown visitors will have to pay $1 per hour for parking.

Here are a few details:

  • Free parking for the first 15 minutes
  • $1 per hour (or daily rate of $5) if you are parking in a parking lot
  • $1 per hour (or daily rate of $10) if you are parking in a garage
  • Monthly rates available: $35 per month in parking lots or $70 per month in garages
  • Parking regulations enforced: M-Th 8am to 6pm, F - S 8am to 9pm, Free on Sundays

There are more details (including certain exceptions for events, handicap, load and ride sharing, etc) and I’ll probably do a deep dive early next year into all of this, but the main reason is to drive more revenue that goes towards finance operations, maintenance, security and capital outlay, and more. It’ll make just under half a million dollars in year one.

There is currently a petition going around from downtown businesses to fight the paid parking.

TOGETHER WITH ADVANCED ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES

The AOA Now and Hurt! partnership will make it easier than ever to get same-day orthopedic care in Wichita.

Christmas break is upon us and that means the kids will be kids, adults will be adults, and injuries happen.

With the Hurt! app, our community can now access injury experts for free!

BUSINESS

Opening

  • Luna Luna Pop-Up Boutique store for ceramics - 102 St Francis in former Espresso to Go Go - Now Open
  • Gyoza Bar (same owner as Yokohama) - 6428 E Central next to Il Primo - Grand Opening tomorrow 12/21
  • Carhartt (The first one in Kansas) - 1900 N. Rock Suite 110 in Bradley Fair (former Joseph A Bank store) - Opening in 2025
  • Emler Swim School (swimming lessons for babies and preschool kids) - former Pier 1 Space in Bradley Fair - Opening in 2025
  • Kanai looking to return, possibly in 2025

Temporarily Closed

Downtown Grocery Store

Cheesecake factory. Downtown Grocery Store. More Carwashes and Chicken places.

These are the businesses Wichitans are BEGGING for. Ok a couple of these are not like the others.

Did you know we actually do have a grocery store downtown called Rays Sales Co Retail & Wholesale Groceries?

The Monarch

People complain that Wichitans don’t know how to drive.

In general, I think this is a bit overblown. People in general don’t know how to drive, not just in Wichita.

That being said, every now and then an idiot goes and proves those complainers right.

Like the guy who crashed his truck into the Monarch a couple of nights ago at 1am.

Sir, this is not a Wendy’s drive-thru.

The Monarch was trying to get back up and running today, so you may call ahead, but let’s give them some much needed support before and throughout the holidays.

#WichitaLife

@balletwichita | Shout out to the #wichitakids chasing their dreams.

Use #WichitaLife to get your post in the Wichita Life Update!

LOCAL

Biomedical Milestones

Things are running smoothly downtown for Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus.

Even though we actually had a lot of rain in November, the crew is still on schedule and on track to finish up in 2026 and be open for classes in early 2027.

Part of the excitement is the development AROUND the new campus. Including a potential 10-story tower from Fidelity Bank.

Wichita College of Engineering 🤝 Groover Labs

The College of Engineering at Wichita State University has partnered with Groover Labs, a nonprofit collaborative workspace, technology hub and rapid prototyping lab in Wichita, to support the regional business community.

Exploration Place

Death by Chocolate tickets are now on sale! The 25th Silver Anniversary of Exploration Place is being celebrated! This event is a big fundraiser for our science museum and is one of my favorite events in town. I recommend it to so many people.

The Great Dickens Fair

First and foremost, this is NOT in Wichita. Sorry to get your hopes up.

A reader sent this in about something they miss back home and it does sound pretty awesome:

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

A few details include:

  • “The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a one-of-a-kind immersive adventure into Victorian London ~ an elaborate holiday party with hundreds of costumed players performing and interacting with patrons in over 140,000 square feet of theatrically-lit music halls, pubs, dance floors, and festive shops.”
  • Indoors and on weekends only
  • They also have a thing where if you bring and unwrapped/unopened new toy you can get $5 off your admission.
  • Local businesses are all inside with booths selling their products.
  • It’s very similar to renaissance fair but it’s for Charles Dickens and the Christmas Carol.
  • There is shows and a tea house and hand pies and a bar.
  • They have actors walking the grounds and they will act out scenes from the play.

Who wants to head up starting Wichita’s version of this?

ICT EXTRA

Christmas Lights on Cars

I’ve seen a few of these out and about, but what are the laws around Christmas lights on cars?

Local Airbnbs

Did you catch our deep dive on some of the awesome Airbnbs in Wichita?

Here is another gem down in small-town Kansas. This is one of Winfield’s Architectural treasures.

*indicates sponsored content

HOME OF THE WEEK

Together with J.P. Weigand & Sons, Inc

1007 N Shefford St

  • 4 bed, 3 full bath
  • 2750 sq-ft
  • Lake-side, cul-de-sac, one owner home
  • Beautiful, tree-lined private neighborhood lake located just steps out back door
  • 3 Car Garage
  • Wood Burning Fireplace
  • Pool Table and Accessories remain

Price: $325,000

Listed by: Kat Speer, Weigand & Sons, MLS#648315

View all Available Listings at Weigand.com

Weekend

Friday 12/20

Saturday 12/21

Sunday 12/22

LIVE MUSIC

Don't see your concert or show here?

Be sure to submit it on our website so we don't miss it!

SPORTS

*Bold = Home

That's it for today!

If you enjoyed today, share this email with someone who doesn't realize Christmas is in a few days and they likely haven't gotten any gifts purchased yet.

Thanks!

- Landon

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