Martin City area gains one business, loses two others

By Kathy Feist 

The Martin City Community Improvement District committee held its monthly meeting Feb. 19, which also acted as a public hearing for the property at 1 E 135th Street. Owner Danny Baker is converting the former Martin City Golf Center into a high-end luxury used car dealership (above $200,000). The city’s ordinance for permitted land use under the Urban Redevelopment Amendment does permit used car dealerships. “The cars are retail, but the city doesn’t think so,” said Baker. 

To address the issue, Baker must follow Kansas City permit procedure, which requires a public meeting before passing through various committees. 

 The required meeting allowed those in attendance to get an update on Baker’s project. The once white exterior has been painted black with a new rustic wood paneled entrance. The interior, also painted black with wood elements, will have a 4000 square foot showroom plus three offices. The driving range behind the main facility will be torn down and a limestone retaining wall built to replace it. A new asphalt parking lot and landscaping– giving a Colorado vibe–are planned for the fall. The area will be protected by a 16-foot tall fence and gates with high security features. 

Baker is currently leasing space for his car dealership, Exotic Motors Midwest, at a location in Merriam, Kansas. That lease ends in April. 

As Baker prepares to do business in Martin City, two others are leaving. 

The Running Well Store closed on Feb 28, according to Martin City CID Manager Vickie Wolverton. Running Well sells athletic shoes in Lee’s Summit, north Kansas City, and Mission, Kansas. KC Running Company will continue to operate from the Martin City location. 

The Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers restaurant located in Martin City at 13628 Washington St. was closed for business as of March 3. That week, crews worked to remove equipment from inside the building. The closure comes after reports that M&M Custard LLC, a major Kansas-based Freddy’s franchisee that owned the Martin City location, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November. The Telegraph could not reach a representative from M&M Custard LLC or Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers for comment, but Freddy’s has removed the Martin City restaurant from its list of locations online.