A new bar is opening in the former east-side Larry Bud’s Sports Bar & Grill space, and it’s going to have something in common with previous bars that have been there.
“We’d like to bring that back as the Wichita State hangout,” says Michelle Lindgren.
She and Steve Peters are opening the business in Brittany Center at 21st and Woodlawn.
“We’re going to definitely, definitely support WSU athletics as much as humanly possible,” Peters says. “We’re just really big on WSU sports.”
The two will have shuttle buses to WSU games as other bars in that spot have done.
The combination Irish pub and sports bar, which also will have a charity poker room, will be called some variation of Blarney Stone Irish Pub and Sports Bar.
Neither the name nor the opening date are solidified yet.
Peters says he and Lindgren are waiting on their liquor license and hope to open by the end of November or no later than the beginning of December.
He says it’s “a hope for the best, prepare for the worst kind of situation.”
Peters and Lindgren both say they’re inspired to be in business by their families.
“My family started Bionic Burger, so I’ve always been in the food industry,” says Lindgren, who is a real estate agent with ReMax Premier.
Her father, Steve Majors, was one of the burger chain’s founders, and now her sister,Raquel Chavez, owns the businesses.
“My sister’s really kind of been my go-to person,” Lindgren says of questions with opening Blarney Stone. “She’s been very helpful.”
Lindgren also has an accounting degree and will handle the books for the business.
Peters has been in law enforcement in the past and used to be the card room and bar manager for the Highlands, the former poker venue on North Rock Road.
He says he, too, has family members in the restaurant industry.
“I’ve just kind of grown up around it and just have always wanted to own a bar and grill,” he says.
Lindgren says Blarney Stone will serve some traditional Irish dishes, such as shepherd’s pie and fish and chips, and traditional sports bar food, such as burgers, chicken and salads.
Peters says the poker room will be open on the weekends and possibly even daily if there’s demand for it.
Scott Harper of Landmark Commercial Real Estate handled the deal.
Look for more information on Blarney Stone late next month.