Tesla in Kansas City shuts down Plaza location but opens larger space along state line

Automaker Tesla has closed its Country Club Plaza showroom as it opens in a much larger space in south Kansas City.

A company spokesman said the new 26,174-square-foot location has Tesla sales, service and delivery departments. He declined to comment further.

Ken Smiley, president of the Tesla Owners of Kansas City (area Tesla enthusiasts with about 140 registered members), said the new location has several advantages over the previous Plaza showroom. It’s more convenient to the interstate, has a large parking area in front, is near other automotive dealerships, and has both sales and service departments, he said.

In a statement, Plaza officials said: “We can confirm the Tesla store has closed on the Plaza. This is not a surprise to us – Tesla was always on a temporary lease agreement and planned to consolidate its showroom and service facilities.”

Tesla opened its first area retail location at 4760 Broadway in 2015. Then it moved to 450 Nichols Road in 2018 to make way for the new Capital Grille location.

OfficeMax moved out of the State Line Shopping Center in 2018, and employees said Tesla wanted the spot. Tesla declined to comment at the time, but it is now open in the space at 10111 State Line Road.