Franchise’s seventh Wichita-area restaurant to open on far east side

If you’re a fan of Jimmy’s Egg , Wink Hartman Sr. has a double helping of good news for you.

First, he plans to open his seventh Wichita-area Jimmy’s Egg in a few months at Hawthorne Court, a shopping center near the northeast corner of 127th and East 21st streets.

The restaurant, which will have seating for 138, will be open for breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week.

“It’s going to be a great future home for Jimmy’s Egg,” Hartman said.

He said the area is appealing for how much it’s growing. Also, Hartman said it’s been great to work with brothers Paul and Brian Suellentrop, who developed Hawthorne Court.

Don Piros of Landmark Commercial Real Estate helped handle the deal.

In addition to the latest Jimmy’s Egg, Hartman also has ones in El Dorado, Derby and around Wichita, where he hopes to add another one in west Wichita later this year. He hasn’t selected a site.

Hartman said his JE Wichita LLC is the biggest Jimmy’s Egg franchise. His son, Wink Hartman Jr., is leading the continuing development of the chain here.

The senior Hartman also recently made an addition to his restaurants: alcohol, in form of Bloody Marys, mimosas and margaritas.

“They just seemed to be the most popular,” he said of potential drinks to serve.

Hartman said they also seem to go well with ham, eggs and hash browns.

While Hartman was on the phone, it seemed like a good time to get an update on a potential downtown grocery, which he expressed an interest in opening in 2016.

“I have looked and looked for years, and I can’t find a base of square footage where the rent works,” he said.

Even with more residents downtown, Hartman said, “I don’t see the numbers working out.”

That’s partly because he said he doubts people living downtown will support a grocery there.

“They’ll travel east and west.”