In recent months, the Town West Mall in west Wichita has been hit with a series of power outages, leaving business owners feeling frustrated and uncertain. The latest outage, caused by Kohan Retail Investment’s failure to pay its electricity bill on time, has left retailers once again in the dark.
Jennifer Garrison, owner of Passagevais LTD, expressed her frustration with the lack of communication and reliability from mall management. She noted that the outages had caused confusion among customers and disrupted production for vendors like Ken Smith of Steve’s Jams and Jellies.
Smith reported significant product losses due to the outage, as well as challenges in safely storing supplies without power. Despite the setbacks, both retailers are exploring alternative locations to continue business amid the uncertainty at Towne West Mall.
While some retailers are considering moving out of the mall, others like Smith are hesitant because of the convenience and affordability of their current spaces. The administration did not provide a time frame for when power would be restored, leaving vendors in limbo.
Anchor stores such as JCP, Dick’s and Dillard’s Clearance Center maintained strength through separate accounts with Evergy. Towne West Mall continues to face problems with power outages, causing concern and inconvenience for businesses and shoppers alike.