Leawood’s Park Place shopping center has experienced another restaurant closure with the recent shutdown of LaPez Mod Mex. The upscale Mexican eatery, which had been in operation for roughly eight months, is the latest in a series of closures at this location.

LaPez Mod Mex was preceded by Session Taco, a ‘Southern California-inspired’ taco concept by the same owners, which closed in the spring of 2025 after a two-year run. Co-owner Adam Tilford expressed that while the restaurant received positive reviews and customers were happy with the product and service, the business was unable to attract enough patrons to sustain operations.

In addition to LaPez Mod Mex, Panache Chocolatier, a neighboring business at Park Place, also closed its doors in April. The chocolate shop had been a fixture in the area for 13 years after relocating from the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. Owner Julie House, who retired, remains hopeful that someone will take over the brand and potentially reopen the shop, either in Leawood or elsewhere.

Impact on Local Business Landscape

The closures at Park Place highlight the challenges faced by local businesses in maintaining a steady customer base. Despite positive feedback, both LaPez Mod Mex and Session Taco struggled to achieve the necessary foot traffic to remain viable. This trend raises questions about the local market dynamics and the factors influencing consumer choices in Leawood.

As the community looks to the future, there is hope that new ventures will bring renewed vitality to Park Place. Local residents and business owners alike are eager to see what new opportunities may arise in the wake of these closures.

Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.