Towne West Mall gives tenants notice to vacate by June 30, anchor stores not included

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Businesses located inside Towne West Mall have two weeks to find a new home. Superstar Sports shared the notice of termination with 12 News. The notice is effective immediately, and tells the store that the space it occupies must be vacated by 5 p.m. on June 30.

In March, Wichita Maple Company, LLC, bought the troubled mall along with the Baughman Company. The mall tenants said that from the beginning, they were told that the building would remain a mall and they would be able to stay. They said they were optimistic about the future until they were evicted from the property. Originally, they were given at least 30 days to a year to leave. Now, they have to move out in 19 days, and they said they’re shocked.

“We’ve called, we’ve texted, we’ve emailed, no responses. So, it’s frustrating,” said Carla Christenbury with C’s Scents.

Superstar Sports has been at the west Wichita mall for nearly 25 years and was hopeful that the change in ownership would be a move in the right direction. Now, he, like the others, is frustrated by the situation.

“Well, it’s a gut punch, is what it is,” said Superstar Sports Manager Sam Stuart. “You know, this whole ordeal has been shady, shady and very, very nontransparent.”

The Wichita Maple Company, LLC, and the Baughman Company requested a zoning change to redevelop the existing property with a manufacturing emphasis. 12 News sat down with the company, but Baughman said it was unwilling to say what the mall would be used for.

Over the past couple of years, while under the ownership of the Kohan Retail Investment Group, Towne West was plagued with power outages due to late utility payments and the departures of several tenants, including businesses and nonprofits, who were frustrated by the inconsistencies.

The Dillard’s Clearance Center, Boulevard Theaters and JCPenney are not included in the termination notices.