Trader Joe's eyeing Wichita, downtown in need of grocery store
Downtown Wichita continues to evolve, and there's more people living here than ever before. But there is one thing some residents say is missing.
"I would love a grocery store downtown," says Ruth Nutting.
"I think there's certainly a need for a grocery store downtown," says Nick Bundy.
Coup Woosypity works and lives downtown. He and his friends are tired of always having to find a ride just to get groceries.
"Most people can't get around you know unless you take the bus or something like that. So if we had one we could easily walk to," says Woosypity.
Ruth Nutting says the convenience would be nice.
"A lot of times when I'm cooking or baking I'm like oh my goodness I forgot an ingredient and I have to drive for at least 5-7 minutes to find the ingredient I'm looking for," says Nutting.
Wichita City Council Member Cindy Claycomb set up a Facebook page back in 2010, campaigning to bring a Trader Joes to town. It's gotten over 4,000 likes.
"Many of us make trips to Tulsa,or Omaha or Kansas City for our Trader Joes fix."
Now that there's buzzing about Trader Joe's potentially coming to Wichita, Claycomb says a downtown location would be accommodating to more people.
"Downtown offers the best because you get people from the east side and west side that would both shop there. Very centrally located," says Claycomb.