The brands are promotin’ some ball: KC businesses look to capitalize on Royals’ playoff return
October 2, 2024 | Olivia Mizelle
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.
View this post on Instagram
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
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
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
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.
Blue October is here and we are excited to team up with KC legends, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, along with the @DigginDeepPod, to bring you the perfect shirt for playoff ball!
Shop Now->https://t.co/Z0yGYxJBbZ pic.twitter.com/wJZnF4ydNe
— Charlie Hustle (@CharlieHustleCo) September 30, 2024

2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Shop small (and Black): Five high-quality goods at The Black Pantry to shop with intention
Editor’s note: Startland News explored The Black Pantry at Martini Corner in Midtown as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that highlights locally owned shops and the makers within them. The items identified here were curated by Brian Roberts, founder of The Black Pantry. Featured stores, makers and products were not asked to…
Shop Small: Five ways to give makers a smile as wide as the person opening your gifts from Shop Local KC
Editor’s note: Startland News explored Shop Local KC in Midtown as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that highlights locally owned shops and the makers within them. The items identified here were curated by Katie Mabry van Dieren, the founder of Shop Local KC the Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair. Featured stores, makers and…
Minority-owned businesses across Kansas can now access KC-built support as EBB expands to 66 counties
One of the Kansas City-area’s highest impact entrepreneurship support organizations is expanding across the Sunflower State as it becomes a board-certified program of NetWork Kansas. Entrepreneur Business Basics (EBB) will soon reach into 66 counties in Kansas, Kira Cheree, founder, told Startland News, highlighting ways the expansion will directly impact minority-owned businesses. “For every innovator,…
Kansas Citian of the Year: Royals owner’s work echoes legacy of Ewing Kauffman
A startup veteran and newfound Kansas City icon has been named Kansas Citian of the Year. John Sherman, controlling owner of the Kansas City Royals and founder of LPG Services Group and Inergy L.P., was surprised with the honor Tuesday night during the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s 134th annual dinner. “I was having…
