Mid-States Distributing expands to Lee’s Summit - Lee's Summit Economic Development Council

Leading farm and ranch retail store cooperative opens regional distribution hub in former Toys R Us facility

LEE’S SUMMIT, MO—November 13, 2018– Mid-States Distributing, LLC has purchased the 725,769-square foot former Toys R Us Kansas City distribution center located at 420 SE Thompson Dr. in Lee’s Summit, MO. The leading U.S. and Canadian farm and ranch retail store cooperative will commence operations in the facility by the end of the year with immediate plans to hire between 30 and 35 employees within the next month to launch the operation.

“The former Toys R Us facility was an ideal fit for our rapidly growing company. When we learned of its availability, we knew the stars were aligning for us in a very special way,” said Mid-States President & CEO Tom Mahlke. “Lee’s Summit is an ideal location in the crossroads of the country as we seek to more effectively serve our members across the U.S.”

Mid-States plans to invest more than $35 million in its new Lee’s Summit distribution center. The new facility will serve as a centralized distribution point servicing its member stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. Its highway access and proximity just minutes from I-49, I-435 and I-70 offers premier access to Mid-States’ network of 39 member companies and their nearly 700 retail locations across 35 states and 5 Canadian Provinces.

“We had tremendous interest—more than 25 inquiries—into the former Toys R Us facility, and we are thrilled that Mid-States chose Lee’s Summit as the launch pad for its rapidly growing distribution network throughout the U.S.,” said Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council President Rick McDowell. “Mid-States will most certainly serve as a catalyst for ongoing business expansion and attraction in Lee’s Summit’s south side commerce corridor.”
Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird welcomed Mid-States to Lee’s Summit at a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Nov. 13.

“Lee’s Summit is honored to welcome a family-owned business cooperative that exudes the characteristics and values our community holds dear,” Mayor Baird said. “I believe Mid-States will enjoy a long and prosperous future in Lee’s Summit given their solid history of providing outstanding service to U.S. and Canadian farm and ranch communities and the benefits of our hard-working labor force.”

The vacated Toys R Us Kansas City distribution facility made national headlines when the retailer folded in early 2018. However, brisk demand for large, tenant-ready industrial space meant that the property sold quickly.

“The amount of interest in this property from all over the country was quite impressive,” said Joe Accurso, executive director of Cushman & Wakefield. “The availability of a high-quality, fully racked, industrial building of this size doesn’t come along very often, and it has created a wealth of opportunity for Lee’s Summit. I’m happy to see the building and area full of activity again.”

About Mid-States
Established in 1954, Mid-States Distributing, LLC is the leading Farm, Ranch and Home Retail Cooperative. The Mid-States cooperative consists of 39 independent, privately held Farm, Ranch & Home retailers. The cooperative includes 675 retail store locations through the United States and Canada, generating more than $6.5 billion in retail sales. Mid-States Members merchandise items such as agriculture parts and supplies, petroleum products, tools and hardware, pet food, lawn and garden, animal health supplies, apparel and footwear, sporting goods, as well as other products for the Farm, Ranch and Home. For more information, visit www.msdist.com.
For more information: