Wichita has a new grocery store, and it’s another win for Westway Plaza at the southwest corner of Pawnee and Seneca.
El Rio Bravo Supermarket, a Kansas City-based chain, opened in about 28,000 square feet of the 200,000-square-foot shopping center on Wednesday.
“Of course, the focus is on (the) Hispanic community,” says Oscar Gomez of Silver Starr Management.
He says that’s because of the growing Hispanic population in that area.
However, Rio Bravo also will be more of an international market with Asian, American and other cuisines featured in various sections of the store, including a bakery and a 70-foot meat and seafood counter.
Silver Starr took over management of the center four years ago and has grown it steadily.
“It’s made a huge turn,” Gomez says.
The center is home to Westlake Ace Hardware, Harbor Freight and the Westway MarketPlace flea market.
There are also restaurants such as Starbucks, Arby’s and Long John Silver’s.
Gomez says the center has less than 30,000 square feet left to lease.
“Two more restaurants (are) coming in in the next month or so,” he says.
That includes Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant and Chuyito’s Mexican Grill, which will be on pad sites at the development.
The grocery store is in the strip center.
Gomez says the store attracted a lot of shoppers for its grand opening.
“It’s a success.”
He says there are more leases to come.
“I will have one ready for next week,” he say. “That’s how fast we’re moving.”