As IHOPKC scandals mount, Kansas City coffee shop says it will close two locations
Prefix Coffee, which leases two storefronts from the International House of Prayer-Kansas City, announced over the weekend that it will be departing those spaces this year.
“Though Prefix was never owned or managed by IHOP KC, we have decided to remove both our coffee shops from the organization’s property to protect the overall well-being of our staff and customers in the community and to restore the vitality of our business,” Prefix ownership said in a statement posted to social media.
The decision comes as IHOPKC enters its fifth month of controversy related to a sex abuse scandal involving founder Mike Bickle and other members of the prayer ministry, which is based in Kansas City and Grandview.
Prefix is owned jointly by three families: Joel and Lindsay Friedrich, Jonathan and Sarah Friedrich, and Colin and Melissa Dwyer. They did not respond to a request for comment this weekend, but previously told The Star their company was not affiliated with IHOPKC.
The affected Prefix locations are at 3523 E. Red Bridge Road in south Kansas City, which they said in their announcement would shut down “in approximately three months,” and 12905 S. U.S. 71 Highway in Grandview, which they said would close “within the next 9-12 months.”
Notion Coffee, a sister business that roasts Prefix’s coffee, will also relocate from its Grandview space, the owners said, though they did not specify a timeline.
Two other Prefix locations, in midtown at 325 E. 31st St. and in downtown’s Lightwell building at 1100 Main St., will remain open.
This story was originally published March 18, 2024 at 4:20 PM.
