Kelly Smith refurbished the former Casey’s General Store at the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 24-40 and Kansas Highway 16, opening the doors to the new business July 1, 2012.

The business experienced plenty of success. The 17-vehicle lot, which had two sales representatives and a finance manager, was averaging just more than 27 cars sold each month. In the first month of business, Sunflower Auto Plaza sold 46 vehicles.

But with that success came constant travel.

Smith said he was gone most days to vehicle auctions. Topeka one day, St. Joseph, Mo., the next, off to Chicago another day and Tulsa, Okla., another day.

In the fall, Smith decided to close the business, not because of lagging sale numbers, but because there just weren’t enough hours in the days. And with a family at home, he decided to close down operations in the fall.

“I just was getting burned out in the end,” Smith said. Sunflower Auto Plaza officially closed in October, though he still sells cars from his other Tonganoxie business, Mr. Tire, which opened last November at 308 Ridge St. in the former Tire Traxx building.

Smith said business also has been good there. Mr. Tire is the No. 3 tire dealer for its distributor since the second month of business.

The business operates with three vehicle bays, though Smith said he’s looking to expand the building to the west.

Mr. Tire’s staff has three mechanics, a tire specialist, an employee at the front counter and Smith.

The business offers vehicle repair, tire sales and continued vehicle sales.

Smith was a wholesale auto dealer before opening Sunflower Auto Plaza and will continue to hit vehicle auctions and sell cars and trucks — just not at the hectic clip he was accustomed to previously.

Smith also owns a building at 113 S. Delaware that he purchased last November.

“It’s kind of evolved into a hobby shop,” he said. “We build hot rods.

“We used one itty-bitty bay of the whole thing to detail (vehicles) out of and the rest of it is for hot rods and everything.”

A 1986 Bonner Springs High School graduate, Smith and his family live in the Piper area, though he said they eventually plan to move to Tonganoxie.

Before opening operations in Tonganoxie, Smith and his wife owned and operated Safe Link Security alarm company in Edwardsville.

Smith said he’s received calls of interest in leasing or buying the prime property at U.S. 24-40 and K-16. He said he’s weighing his options for the property, which has a 15-year no-compete clause with Casey’s General Store. That agreement started in 2012 and prohibits any business from selling any products or services that Casey’s offers. The current Casey’s is a block north.

Smith noted that the initial process of opening the business was difficult at times, but said he’s appreciated working with city staff.

“The initial process was tough, but after that,” Smith said, referring to some rezoning issues for the Sunflower property and the Delaware Street building. “Nobody bothers me. I love the city. It’s a great city.”

Mr. Tire is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays. The business’ phone number is 913-845-2958.