Tesla officially opened in Northbook on Aug. 9 with a ceremonial ribbon moment with community leaders.
But the soft launch opening was in mid-July at the new 50,000-square-foot dealership at 1200 Skokie Blvd.
The official opening took place on a sunny afternoon featuring an oversized red scissor photo opportunity when the red ribbon was not cut. Dignitaries and developers smiled for the camera but Elon Musk was not part of the photo op.
The silver 2024 Cybertruck model was parked out front and event attendees were allowed to go for a spin. Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla went for a drive.
“It’s really amazing, actually,” Ciesla said with a smile when asked about the sleek ride. “I need one of these.”
Focus, which has a speciality in real estate development and construction in Chicago, along with its partner Fort Union, were part of the celebration and Friday grand opening of the new Tesla electric vehicle sales, distribution and service center.
Developers indicated it was a priority to adhere to the Village of Northbrook’s Climate Action Plan while also creating jobs.
Offering event remarks were Ciesla, Matt Hendy, managing principal of Fort Union and Justin Pelej, executive vice president of development for Focus.
“Tesla’s mission fits in line with our sustainability plan,” Ciesla told attendees at a gathering indoors before the ribbon photo opportunity. “We want to be development-friendly.
“The Village of Northbrook appreciates everyone’s business and if you have to buy a Tesla, buy it right here in Northbrook,” Ciesla said.
Those attending the special opening were offered a tour of the facility. Employee parking is on the roof, tour attendees learned.
Hendy appeared on behalf of Tesla at a Sept. 13, 2022 Northbrook Village Board of Trustees meeting when trustees expressed excitement for the new Tesla proposal.
Northbrook Village Trustee Dan Pepoon, a former Plan Commission member, attended the Aug. 9 opening and was worried in 2022 that the Village’s Architectural Control Commission (ACC), as a reviewing body, might stall the Tesla proposal.
At a July 12, 2022, Board of Trustees meeting, Pepoon spoke of having, “an awful lot of frustration on the Plan Commission where the ACC gummed up the wheels of progress.”
On Aug. 9, 2024, Pepoon expressed content, saying, “I don’t see anything wrong with any piece of the ACC or our staff did from start to finish on this project.”
Pepoon added that the process went, “smoothly and proud of everybody for all their hard work.”
Pepoon also said, “I am so pleased to have Tesla in Northbrook and all this traffic you see going by, seeing a Northbrook gem, it’s fabulous.
“Way back when, this was going to be the potential site for Walmart,” Pepoon said. “I like Tesla a little bit better than having Walmart on this property.”
Almost two years after that 2022 Board of Trustees meeting, Hendy said on Aug. 9 that Northbrook was, “incredible” to deal with.
“It’s rare to actually have a community that you sit down at the table for the first time and they do exactly what they said at the first meeting and did not waver so thank you to the leadership of Northbrook,” Hendy said.
Pelej complimented the Tesla team on being, “amazing to work with, Northbrook, certainly too, I mean, from zoning to construction, everywhere along the way, the team’s just been phenomenal.”
Northbrook Chamber & Commerce & Industry Executive Director Kathleen Quinn took a tour with chamber colleagues and other attendees.
Quinn is pleased with the visibility of Tesla to Route 41 Edens Highway motorists.
“I’m very excited that Tesla has made an investment in Northbrook because a lot of our residents and business owners have Tesla vehicles,” Quinn said.
“It’s going to create jobs here so we’re very, very pleased to see them here in town.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
