15541 NE 50 St
Cheney, KS 67025
West Side Bait Shop and Beer · Retail Property For Sale

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION: West Side Bait Shop & Beer is a small convenience store and bait shop located just outside the West Entrance to Cheney Lake. We offer convenience items such as ice, drinks, beer, cigarettes and tobacco, groceries, snacks, floaties and other beach supplies, camping supplies, boat and RV supplies and fishing tackle and bait. BUILDING AND LOCATION: The building is approximately 2,080 square feet, with much room for storage and expansion. The land is approximately ½ an acre, with a large parking lot to accommodate large vehicles, boat trailers, camping trailers, tractors and RVs. There is also room for expansion here, with area for more buildings, and a view of the creek that can be utilized. BUSINESS STRENGTHS/COMPETITIVE OVERVIEW/MARKETING/GROWTH PLANS: The location is prime, just at the entrance to the lake, where all visitors to the West Side must pass. Records show that the number of visitors to Cheney State Park has increased significantly each year; 2015 showed well over 600,000 people came to the lake, which was a 38% increase over the previous year – and the park has only grown in amenities and opportunities. Located outside the park means that a park permit is not required, making the shop more accessible to anyone just driving by. The road location also happens to be 21st Street, making the shop easy to find for lake goers and much used by locals. Being in a rural area is an advantage, with little competition close by Located 17 miles west of Wichita and 20 miles south of Hutchinson, Cheney Lake offers a fantastic recreational getaway, offering over 200 electrical sites with water, more than 20 boat launching lanes on 6 boat ramps, 4 courtesy docks, 10 restroom/shower houses and 4 trailer dump stations. Primitive camping is widely available and can be near the lake's edge, under the trees or next to the creek. The park has 4 designated swimming areas with sandy beaches and several picnic/day use areas. There are 9 modern cabins available to rent, with 3 more being added. Cheney Lake offers outstanding sailing, hosts multiple sailing regattas each year and is home to the Ninnescah Sailing Association. Cheney Lake is an excellent fishing lake for catfish, white bass and wipers, as well as crappie, striped bass and walleye. One handicap accessible fishing jetty is available and offers great fishing no matter the season. Water sports such as wake boarding, water skiing, tubing and jet skiing are very popular. There is a 5 mile hiking/biking trail which winds through prairie grasses, along the creek and also under a canopy of trees. Other amenities at the lake include a sand volleyball court; a field for soccer, baseball or kickball; a tournament level disc golf course; a shooting range and public hunting. Having access to all types of activity brings all types of people to our location. The shop provides those things they forget, run out of, don't anticipate needing, etc. In the process, the shop becomes their go-to place, and in return, they make supporting the shop a priority so that they have access to necessities the next time they come to the lake also. The weather has changed drastically so that the lake gets traffic all year round. This spring, the business will be able to sell strong beer, which will increase the selection available to lake goers and locals, and it already has the ability to sell beer on Sundays. Fishing has been phenomenal. Camping sites with hook ups sell out every weekend, generally from Easter to Halloween. Cabins are always full, even in much of the off season, with family reunions, celebrations, romantic getaways, vacationers and out of state hunters. Amenities are being added. More and more people are enjoying not just discovering the lake, but also the nice drive from Wichita and the surrounding areas to get there. People who live around the lake also benefit from the shop to save the drive to town. Farmers, workers, retirees, mothers and camp hosts all make a point to support the shop. The shop supports other small businesses in the area by referring lake goers to places that offer hot food, etc. In return, those businesses promote the shop. The shop also promotes Cheney Lake and helps with projects such as replacing picnic table boards, adding bird houses, cleaning areas after storms, etc. It is a system that allows us all to grow the area. Cheney Lake is growing and is the reason for the sale of the shop. We strive to provide for lake goers and the surrounding community, and they need the shop to grow along with the lake. Though the business is sustainable as is, gasoline needs to be added, which would be an investment into the longevity of the business. Food preparation needs to be added in a way that compliments the existing restaurant just down the road. Other products and services could be added to help lake goers not just stay longer at the lake, but come back more often. Another option is to lease out space to others who specialize in an area that would benefit everyone. Don’t wait, now is the time to act! Remember that Memorial Day kicks off lake season, so you’ll want to be up and ready to sell at that time! Call today for a tour and to get more information!