The brands are promotin’ some ball: KC businesses look to capitalize on Royals’ playoff return

October 2, 2024  |  Olivia Mizelle

The Kansas City Royals' mascot Sluggerrr mimes to fans at Kauffman Stadium in August 2024 during the regular season; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon.

Click here to read the original story.

The Kansas City Royals are back in the Major League Baseball postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2015, and fans aren’t the only ones celebrating. Local businesses throughout the Kansas City area are hosting watch parties, promoting merchandise and cutting prices in honor of the Royals.

As the Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 1-0 in Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series Tuesday, Kansas City businesses were busy publicizing baseball-themed promotions on social media.

Charlie Hooper’s Brookside Bar & Grille in Kansas City is part of the Royals Home Team Program, and it played Tuesday’s Wild Card games on its TVs. Both games took place during Charlie Hoopers’ happy hour, which includes a variety of drink specials.

The Royals Home Team Program features a dozen Kansas City-area bars and restaurants that partner with the team as venues for game day viewing.

Another restaurant that rolled out a playoff promotion is Meat Mitch BBQ, which hosted watch parties for Tuesday’s games. In an Instagram post, the restaurant said it would be playing the game on all 20 of its HD TVs and serving game day specials and happy hour drinks.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Meat Mitch BBQ (@meatmitchbbq)

Price Chopper is one of the Royals’ local sponsors, and the supermarket chain posted Monday on social media that shoppers could earn 100 bonus rewards points for every run the Royals score in the playoffs, if they make a $25 purchase the following day.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Price Chopper (@my_pricechopper)

Price Chopper also offers “Steal a Deals” during the regular season, offering fans discounts depending on what game they attend and where they sit.

Local Kansas City clothing stores are also getting excited about the Royals’ recent success.

Made in KC, a local gift and apparel store, leaned into the fact that it has been nine years since the Royals have been in the postseason in its Instagram caption Monday.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Made In KC (@madeinkc_)

It promoted its updated Royals gear and encouraged fans to buy the apparel.

Charlie Hustle, a Kansas City sports apparel brand, announced on X that it is releasing a shirt that reads “Give It Everything You Got,” inspired by former Royals Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer — two stars of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2024 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Innovation center, investor hub set to open this month on Liberty campus, thanks to family’s gift 

        By Tommy Felts | October 11, 2023

        LIBERTY, Missouri — A significant financial gift to William Jewell College from a family of alumni is expected to fund a new innovation center opening on campus this month. The space is expected to serve as an investor hub and flexible workspace for Kansas City entrepreneurs. The Mathes Innovation Center — made possible by the…

        Sched now: Check out GEWKC’s just-launched, weeklong event lineup with 100+ sessions

        By Tommy Felts | October 10, 2023

        Organizers of Kansas City’s largest multi-day event series for entrepreneurs have opened registration for the Nov. 13-19 sessions, with a three-day, in-person base camp planned for Plexpod Westport at Park 39. “Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City is the best way for the KC metro’s doers, dreamers and makers to gain new skills, make key connections and…

        Time for this mob to Roo Up with UMKC streetwear collection: Here’s where to find it off-campus 

        By Tommy Felts | October 10, 2023

        MADE MOBB’s latest collaboration — an eight-piece streetwear collection with UMKC — is yet another full circle moment for co-founder Vu Radley, he shared. The Crossroads-based apparel brand is planning a limited-edition drop Friday, featuring Radley’s alma mater and its iconic Roos. “It’s one of those things that just makes sense,” explained MADE MOBB co-founder,…

        Purple Wave’s strategic partnership with global auction site will take KS tech international

        By Tommy Felts | October 10, 2023

        Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro.  MANHATTAN, Kansas — A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is expected to help homegrown auction tech company Purple Wave scale into the global brand its co-founders always dreamed it could be, said Aaron…