Local businesses prepare for Chiefs Training Camp

By Leah Rainwater

With Chiefs Training Camp about a week out, local businesses are hopeful for an influx in customers.

Other than bringing in fans, training camp provides an opportunity to stimulate St. Joseph’s economy, especially for local businesses.

“We’ve got our own custom blend that we do try to do during football season, called our ‘play action’ blend,” said Andy Montee, the owner of Mokaska Coffee in Downtown St. Joseph. “And yeah, we get real excited, there’s a ton of people around and the vibes are really fun.”

Every year, training camp brings in a crowd of fans from all around the region who get to check out the team ahead of the season.

“There’s a noticeable increase,” Montee said. “I mean we’re looking forward to the Red Rally coming up, there’s just usually, you can feel the excitement in the air.”

And more people in town often means more revenue for small businesses.

“Honestly, it’s really good, we always notice a huge increase with Chiefs camp,” said Emily Gutzmer, the owner of Polished Pretty by Em. “It’s also the perfect timing with like, back-to-school stuff too.”

Gutzmer said she recently moved her boutique to a new storefront, but hopes with social media and word of mouth, regular customers and potential new ones will still be able to find her shop.

“I mean there are definitely some worries just because we’re in a new location,” said Gutzmer. “And we were at the mall for so long, but I feel like we do a good job of kind of posting to social media and advertising, letting people know we have made that move.”

While any new customers are great, Montee is hopeful Mokaska can attract a certain few.

“We’re looking out to see if we can get some Chiefs players in here during training camp,” Montee said.

Training camp will start on Sunday, July 21, at Missouri Western State University and will end on Aug. 15, with some days off between. Fans must purchase tickets to attend.