She lost her restaurant lease in June. But after a feverish search, she’s found a new spot

It took her a few weeks and a frenzied search full of dead ends, but Bann Thai owner Wanwaree Jackson has found a space to reopen her Thai restaurant, which closed on June 15.

On Monday, she signed a lease at Maize Center, the strip center at 5255 N. Maize Road in Maize. She’s hoping that in a few weeks, she can reopen Bann Thai in the space that Perfect Plate occupied until Kira Watt closed her Wichita-area meal prep businesses early this year.

Jackson said she plans to clean the space this week and move her things in this weekend. She hopes to get the health department out to inspect as soon as possible then reopen the restaurant within a few weeks.

The space has about 1,200 square feet and room for eight or nine tables, she said.

Bann Thai, known for its spicy fare, had operated at 3911 W. 13th St. for eight years, but Jackson suddenly lost her lease in June. Her fans had just a few days’ notice before she had to shut down and move out. She told Dining with Denise , though, that she intended to reopen the restaurant as soon as she could find a new spot,

On Monday evening, an excited Jackson shared a photo of the keys to her new place on her Facebook page.

She also shared that a devoted Bann Thai customer had set up a Go Fund Me campaign intended to help her with moving costs, utility initiation fees and other expenses she’ll incur moving the business. So far, it’s raised $350 of its $4,000 goal. It’s at www.gofundme.com/f/bring-back-bann-thai

Jackson told her supporters on social media that she appreciated all the encouragement as she searched for a new spot for her restaurant.

“Thank you so much for all your love and support,” she wrote.