Photo courtesy of Eric Rosell

Kendall Williams

Creative Assistant

PH Coffee sits on the corner of Brooklyn and Lexington Avenues in the heart of Pendleton Heights neighborhood. However, PH Coffee is more than just a neighborhood cafe — it’s a community living room, an after-school hideout and a launchpad for student creativity.

Established in late 2019, PH Coffee (2200 Lexington Ave.) began with a simple mission: to create a space where everyone feels welcome. Six years later, that mission has blossomed into something much greater; a vibrant hub where local students, families and neighbors gather to rest, connect and just be themselves.

“There wasn’t really a place for us to hang out, relax and cool off, especially in our own neighborhood,” said Eric Rosell, PH Coffee owner and one of its original founders. “We wanted to build a gathering place for the community where everyone could drop their shoulders, take a deep breath and feel safe.”

Brewing a Refuge

From 3 to 4 p.m. on any school day, PH Coffee starts to buzz with youthful energy. Students from nearby Garfield Elementary and Scuola Vita Nuova (SVN) pour in with parents, backpacks and friends in tow with some ordering ice cream, others just flopping down onto the shop’s open couches.

“You’ll see a bunch of kids just being kids. It’s fun to watch them relax, talk about their day and just be themselves — unashamed and comfortable,” Eric shared.

And this sense of safety isn’t just talk. PH Coffee has become a trusted refuge for families, especially those with limited options. Parents regularly tell Rosell they feel at ease knowing their kids are at the cafe. The rules are simple: treat everyone with respect, and don’t solicit others inside. Beyond that, this shop is a home away from home.

“We’ve had everyone from college students studying for exams to people fleeing domestic violence. Everyone knows they can come here and feel safe — to rest, connect, and just be themselves,” Rosell said.

Listening First, Then Building

Perhaps what sets PH Coffee apart is its deep commitment to listening. Rosell doesn’t just create programs, he asks students what they want to see.

One current initiative includes an informal internship with a local high school student. “I asked him, ‘What do you and your friends need to hang out and relax here? Is it board games? A place to play video games? You tell me.’ It’s not about buying things, it’s about creating a space they want to be in,” he said.

Through partnerships with Kansas City University (KCU) and Lead to Read, among others, PH Coffee has hosted everything from storytelling sessions for toddlers to scavenger hunts for college students. They additionally offer student discounts and more importantly, dignity.

“Some kids come in with just 25 cents,” Rosell said. “We treat them just like any other customer. It’s not about the transaction, it’s about the person who walked in.”

Standing Invitation

As the new school year begins, PH Coffee stands ready with open doors, cold drinks and warm welcomes. Students, parents and neighbors alike are encouraged to visit, bring ideas and make the space their own.

“I don’t want to create a space for the community, I want to create it with the community,” Rosell said. “This is their shop as much as it is mine.”

So whether you’re looking for a spot to read, study, meet friends or just breathe, PH Coffee has a chair waiting for you.

Growing Together

PH Coffee isn’t just reactive, it’s proactive. This fall, they’re relaunching Meet Your Neighbor nights every second and fourth Friday — offering a laid-back space for neighbors to connect and collaborate. The topics range from mutual aid to community projects like clothing swaps and school support teams.

And for teens craving something sweeter? The cafe plans to open a snow cone patio shack in the fall perfect for those sticky Missouri nights when all you want is a sugary treat and some music with friends.

“Honestly, we don’t want to add to the stress of being a teenager. We want to offer some relief,” Rosell said. “Come hang out. Be yourself. Don’t feel like you have to buy anything. Just come.”