KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Preparations on the 2023 NFL Draft's main stage at Kansas City's Union Station as well as the Draft Experience at the WWI Museum and Memorial are well underway with only two weeks until the start of the event.
Streets are being blocked off, traffic is picking up and businesses, like Midwest Barbery on Main, are preparing for change.
"They (the clients) already know that the Draft is coming, and we’ve been talking and putting it in their ear for the past month or so [to] be ready because that week’s going to be madness down here," said Justin Lemos, owner and barber at Midwest Barbery.
Lemos says only people with credentials can come through the intersection of Main and West 20th Street. Although, some people are allowed to come through and park out front so long as there is room.
But with no official guidance from the city, Lemos says is planning to just go with the flow.
"All that we’ve known about the street closures and the parking lot closures ... is from our clients that we have that work for the city as it is," Lemos said. "We haven’t been reached out to from any city official letting me know what’s going on, what’s the plans or anything like that."
While there have been no cancellations yet, one thing Lemos is concerned about is that schedules could get backed up with added travel time due to blocked streets.
"Probably most likely going to have to park a block or two blocks away and take that extra time to walk here," Lemos said. "That makes it tough for us because we’re an appointment-based barber shop, so once we start getting behind, it’s just a downpour of all kinds of things coming that way."
The KC native says the shop will be open all week during the draft. And while the appointment-based establishment does not allow walk-ins, Lemos hopes the exposure will help future business, especially with being so close to the action.
"Being part of this area is just such a great opportunity and to grow with the city, there’s nothing better than being in downtown Kansas City," Lemos said. "There’s so many people coming and going, and it’s growing, and growing and growing."
The portion of Main Street from Grand to West 20th will be closed until May 7.
