Realtor, marketer and former Kansas legislator Phil Hermanson is moving forward with plans to develop a grocery store in downtown Wichita.
It's not only a grocery store: Hermanson says he'll open an establishment named Michelle’s Coffee Bar and Specialty Foods, a convenience store, catering company and venue that would seat up to 300 people. All of it will be located in the Century Plaza building near Main and Douglas.
"Not only is it going to cater to people in downtown Wichita, and our customers from all over the city, but it’s also going to have a touch of history and a touch of nostalgia from Wichita," Hermanson says.
He also plans to take online orders and suggestions to stock exactly what people want. Hermanson says he’s preparing to open by June and hopes to finalize more financial support soon.
Jason Gregory, vice president of the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation, says that 20 percent of people who come downtown to work would need to shop at a grocery store for it to be successful. He says about 25,000 people work in the downtown district.
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Carla Eckels is assistant news director and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels.
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