Kansas City Barber Expresses Optimism Ahead of Potential New Ownership for the Country Club Plaza

Amid rumors of a potential change in ownership for the renowned Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri, local business owners are bracing for change. One such individual, Benny Cardello, a long-standing barber shop owner located at the plaza, has expressed optimism about this potential change.

Possible Change in Ownership

News about potential buyers with interest in the famous Country Club Plaza first began circulating last fall. Since then, local authorities, including KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas, have been actively engaged in the matter seeking constant updates. Notably, Mayor Lucas even visited Dallas to meet with the possible new owners. Since that visit, however, no official announcement has been made, leaving business owners on the edge of anticipation.

A Resilient Legacy at the Heart of the Plaza

Cardello’s barbershop, Plaza Hair Designs, is a legacy in the heart of Country Club Plaza. Cardello initiated his barbering career in 1962 in a different shop at the Plaza, before opening his own in 1981. Despite several challenges, such as changes in ownership, turnovers, and crime, Cardello remains unrelenting: “The Plaza’s always gonna be high profile, and things like that are going to happen from time to time,” he said.

Surviving Challenges

Like most businesses, Cardello’s shop was not immune to the impact of the global pandemic. However, their resilience has allowed them to survive these challenging times and bring a steady stream of customers through referrals and footfall. Congruent with his optimistic outlook, Cardello said, “There’s always change, and sometimes some things just don’t work out.” As a result, rumors of potential ownership change did not faze him, rather he greeted them with a sense of optimism.

Optimism for the Future

For Cardello, the biggest transformation he has seen in his time at the plaza has been the change from local to external ownership: “When I first came here, it was just almost totally locally owned,” he recalled. However, he believes that with the right stores and management, the Plaza can flourish. He further expressed his confidence in the potential buyers, believing they’ll bring the necessary change and growth to the plaza. Cardello identifies as an “Ambassador of the Plaza,” hoping to see it succeed: “I think it’ll come back stronger than ever, I really do. I think people want it to and I think they’ll support it.”

A spokesperson from the Mayor’s Office revealed that the Country Club Plaza plays a crucial role in Kansas City’s history, present, and future. The Mayor is dedicated to its continued growth and improvement. Ongoing weekly discussions with the potential new owners reveal plans to revive the Plaza, fueling hope that positive changes are forthcoming.