BURLINGTON –– Tesla has opened its only store in Vermont, located in a former Hannaford supermarket off Shelburne Road in South Burlington, drawing dozens of enthusiastic fans despite the rainy weather.
The small showroom was dominated by a stainless steel Cybertruck, measuring 18 1/2 feet long and nearly eight feet wide. Todd Lockwood, manager of the Vermont Tesla Owners Group, noted that the showroom was smaller than most larger Tesla facilities but could still accommodate a Model 3 and a Model Y, or a Model S and X together.
Much of the nearly 47,000 square foot building is occupied by a spacious service department and empty space, which Lockwood speculated might be due to Tesla’s recent financial dip. The company’s stock price has fallen 30.4% so far in 2024, following a 15.3% loss in 2023.
Despite the challenges, Lockwood welcomed the opening of the Tesla store, particularly the service department, which will save the estimated 3,000 Tesla owners in Vermont from having to drive to Latham, New York, or Montreal for servicing.
The new store is expected to provide a more convenient option for Tesla owners in the region, who previously faced long drives and potential issues with loaner cars when crossing the Canadian border.
