‘Such a shame’: After a decade, this Kansas City Panera Bread abruptly shuts down

Brookside’s Panera Bread has closed after a decade.

A sign on the door of the location, at 6301 Brookside Plaza, says: “Thank you loyal guests for your support over the years. This location is closed.”

It directed customers to its location on the Country Club Plaza.

Officials with Panera could not be reached for comment Friday.

The space had long been a drugstore. Then Bruegger’s Bagel tried to open there in 1997. But it got pushback for both parking issues and a grassroots “keep Brookside local” protest.

A beauty warehouse concept then opened in the spot. Panera Bread took over in 2012.

Customers chimed in on the Panera closing on NextDoor, a neighborhood online forum:

▪ “That Panera has been HORRIBLE for a very long time, such a shame! Wish they would bring Einstein Brothers back.”

▪ “Thats too bad. The service was the biggest issue at this location.”