Kansas Woman at the Center of Marion County Record Newspaper Raid Forced to Shutter Coffee Shop, Blames Divorce

The woman whose complaints triggered the police raid at the Marion County Record is closing her coffee shop’s current location — though she says it’s the result of her divorce and not due to fall out from last summer’s scandal.

The local Kansas weekly newspaper gained national attention when the local police department raided their offices and seized computer equipment and cell phones on Aug. 11. 

The police claim they raided the office to investigate how the newspaper had obtained information about restaurant owner Kari Newell’s driving record. In the affidavits filed to obtain a warrant, the police said they suspected that the newspaper engaged in identity theft or computer crimes to access the records.

Months later, Newell’s coffee shop — Kari’s Kitchen — is expected to close its doors, at its current address, by the end of January. Newell attributed the location’s closure to complications brought on by her divorce.

“The closing of Kari’s Kitchen is not primarily related to the events that occurred in August with the newspaper,” Newell told the Kansas City Star. “I do not pit any responsibility on the newspaper for this outcome.”

Newell also told the newspaper that her coffee shop, which opened in May, is “not closed.” Rather, its operations will be moved to another location – her restaurant Chef’s Table, which is housed inside a local hotel. Chef’s Table was also at the heart of the police raid controversy – Newell’s driving record was first brought up because she was trying to obtain a liquor license for the business.

While Newell was going through the process of obtaining the liquor license, the Marion County Record received a tip about her DUI conviction. Newell then accused the newspaper’s reporters of identity at a town council meeting.

It was later determined that the newspaper and its reporters did not break any laws. In addition to raiding the Marion County Record offices, police also seized materials from the newspaper's 98-year-old co-owner, Joan Meyer. The elderly woman died just one day after the raids on her homes and business.

Newell said that while she was the target of widespread national criticism, she has an “amazing support system” locally. She also told the Kansas City Star that continues to purchase the Marion County Record.

“I support local businesses regardless of my personal experiences. … I generally have a copy laying on the table for café guests to read.”