Martini Corner Businesses React to New Royals Ballpark Renderings
By Morgan Riddell
Published: Oct. 15, 2026 at 11:25 PM GMT+2 | Updated: 5 hours ago
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - New renderings released for the Royals downtown ballpark show a large-scale project that will transform the city's footprint. Populus and Royals leaders described it as a neighborhood ballpark.
Business Owners Weigh In
Grant Naugle, owner of Tower Tavern in Martini Corner, expressed his excitement:
"I mean, it just gets my wheels spinning, like, what can we do? We’re coming up on 20 years. We’ve been open 25 years by the time the baseball stadium opens."
Naugle noticed the KCTV5 Tower prominently featured in the renderings and humorously suggested a collaboration:
"I don’t know, maybe the Royals want me to put a little Tower Tavern down at the stadium."
A Landmark in the Renderings
Ashlee Middlebrook, a bartender at Brick House, another Martini Corner establishment, was equally thrilled:
"Couldn’t ask for anything closer. So we are very excited. We’re ready to be hype and ready to go."
She pointed out the KCTV5 Tower's prominence in the renderings, highlighting its beauty, especially when lit up.
"It’s really awesome to see, especially with the tower now lit up; it’s gorgeous. You know, it’s super nice to see."
Anticipation for the Future
Middlebrook believes the development will boost Martini Corner's profile and attract visitors to the area, especially those heading to baseball games.
"The tower is such a great part of Kansas City anyway. And Martini Corner is such a great historic part of Kansas City as well. So we’re really excited to have the Royals down here and have a great time."