In the bustling cityscape of Wichita, Kansas, the Towne West Mall stands as a commercial hub for local shoppers and businesses alike. However, recent events have cast a shadow over the mall’s bustling activity.
For the third time in two months, and the fifth instance since the previous fall, the mall has been engulfed in darkness due to power disconnections. This recurring issue has left business owners like Jennifer Garrison, founder of Passageways LTD, grappling with uncertainty and frustration.
A Pattern of Darkness
The repeated power outages at Towne West Mall have become a source of exasperation for its tenants. The mall’s owner, Kohan Retail Investment Group, has been repeatedly delinquent on electricity bills, plunging the mall into darkness and leaving businesses to fend for themselves.
Jennifer Garrison describes the situation as “highly aggravating,” forcing them to “think outside the box” to overcome these challenges. Meanwhile, Ken Smith of Steve’s Jams and Jellies laments the impact on his business, with a loss of $3,000 worth of frozen fruit due to the unreliable power supply.
The outages have not only affected sales but also the perception of the mall’s operational status, with customers mistaking the darkened storefronts for permanently closed businesses.
The Impact on Community and Commerce
The power disruptions have far-reaching implications, affecting not just the financial stability of the businesses but also the community services they provide. Passageways LTD, which aids previously unhoused military veterans, finds its operations severely hampered.
The lack of power means no access to essential services for veterans, a situation that Jennifer Garrison highlights with concern.
Other business owners echo this sentiment, expressing a collective worry over the future. The uncertainty has prompted some to consider relocating, despite the challenges and costs associated with such a move.
For those like Ken Smith, who have invested years into their mall-based businesses, the decision to relocate is fraught with complications and a reluctance to abandon a space that has become integral to their livelihood.
Searching for Solutions
As the power issues persist, business owners are actively seeking alternatives to ensure their survival. Discussions about potential new locations are underway, with the hope of finding a more reliable and supportive environment.
The community spirit among the mall’s tenants is evident, as they share information and lookout for each other during these trying times.
The larger anchor stores, with separate power arrangements, continue to operate, highlighting a divide between the haves and have-nots within the mall’s ecosystem.
This disparity adds to the urgency for a resolution that can restore stability and equity for all businesses within Towne West Mall.
