Early renderings of the new Royals ballpark and renovations at Arrowhead show signs at the intersection as the Royals' potential home. There are dozens of businesses and rental agencies on that road. KMBC 9S Dennis Evans speaks with one owner who is now facing an uncertain future as he plans to celebrate his grand opening. Green Dirt on Oak is expected to open in just a few weeks, across the street from the Royals' proposed new stadium. The question is, how long can they stay in this place? It's still a work in progress, so see if you want Sarah Hoffman to start teasing you. Now let's start talking about cheese. Put cheese in this vat to make cheese. The love of cheese is a family bond. It started in western Missouri. We have a dairy farm where we milk sheep. We are currently located in the Crossroads area of Kansas City. Hoffman and her husband hand-picked this location. It's a really sturdy old building. It is currently installed directly in the target zone of the Royals' new stadium. So I didn't know until last Tuesday. I watched the press conference and was told this heartbreaking news. We were devastated, depressed and confused, but instead of seeing the stadium, we saw another building directly above ours. It was a big blow, but not enough to break their spirits. A lot of effort has been put into this, so the dream moves forward. Really, what I want to do is show them what we bring to the table. Open as planned, hoping the cheese will remain inside. The royal family will find a new place there. Nothing can replace what the family that owns the restaurant has here. Since you are also the owner of this building, you will have to pay for the move. But they say they'd rather stay here at No. 16, Oak in the Crossroads District. Dennis Evans KMBC NINE News.Owner says there was nothing
'We were devastated': New Crossroads project at planned Royals Stadium site
Updated: February 23, 2024 9:27 PM CST
Small business owners in the Crossroads area are facing uncertainty after their storefronts could soon be demolished to make way for the Royals' new stadium. Sarah Hoffman and her husband handpicked the location for their business, and her three-story brick building, The Green Dirt on Oak, is scheduled to open in just two weeks. But the site is now the focus of the Royals' new stadium plans, and dozens of businesses and tenants in the area are in the same position. “We found out last Tuesday,” Hoffman said. “As part of the plans, there are several other buildings shown directly above the building, not the stadium. We were devastated…depressed and confused. Regarding the Royals' stadium proposal. Previous coverage: Crossroads companies have mixed reactions to proposed Kansas City Royals stadium 'committed to meeting crossroads': Church says dialogue with Royals will continue' 'Golden Era': Kansas City Royals announce Crossroads location for new stadium site 'Neither feasible nor realistic': Explains why Royals won't renovate Kaufman Stadium Royals owner says team will crossroads While meeting with Rose's executives, they say the news came 'sudden' to them. Committee supporting Royals' plan to build new stadium at Crossroads names co-chairman Kansas City Royals to move to Crossroads “Despite the setbacks, Hoffman is determined to move forward with the plan.'' A huge amount of work has gone into this project and planning.'' “And so many people were involved in this project and helped move it forward,” she said. She now brings her family's affairs to Kansas City's Crossroads neighborhood. Since they own the building, they will have to pay to relocate. But they would rather stay put and hope the Royals find a new home. “Nothing can replace what we got here,” Hoffman said. “So I really hope the Royals reconsider their plans to move somewhere out west.”
Small business owners in the Crossroads area are facing uncertainty after their storefronts could soon be demolished to make way for the Royals' new stadium.
The Green Dirt on Oak, the three-story brick building that Sarah Hoffman and her husband handpicked as the location for their business, is scheduled to open in just two weeks.
But now the site is the focus of the Royals' plans for a new stadium, and dozens of area businesses and tenants are in the same position.
“We found out last Tuesday,” Hoffman said. “It's not a stadium, it shows some other buildings directly above ours as part of the plan. We were devastated… depressed and confused.
Previous coverage of the Royals' stadium proposal:
Despite the setback, Hoffman is determined to move forward with his plan.
“So much work has gone into this project and planning, and so many people have been involved in this project and helped me move it forward,” she said.
Hoffman's love of cheese began in Weston, and now family has moved him to the Crossroads area of Kansas City.
Since they own the building, they will have to pay to relocate.
But they would rather stay put and hope the Royals can find a new home.
“Nothing can replace what we have here,” Hoffman said. “So I really hope the Royals reconsider their plans to move somewhere out west.”
