Heather and Leon Versfeld didn’t exactly set out to open a restaurant when they bought a building in Parkville in 2022.
The space was initially purchased for Leon’s law firm, Versfeld & Hugo. Because it had extra space, a great location and a drive-up window from being a former bank, Heather suggested they add a coffee shop. Leon, ever the visionary, then started brainstorming an entire restaurant concept.
“I may or may not have told him he was crazy,” Heather laughs. “But he was so persistent. He kept bringing it up. Finally, I told him, ‘If we’re going to do this, we need to really pray about it and see if it’s what the Lord wants — because otherwise, there’s no way we can make it happen.’ I’m a private flight attendant, and he’s an attorney. So, we prayed. And the more we prayed, the more doors began to open.”
And open they did. Two years later, after a few roadblocks, a fire and plenty of surprises, Prima Facie Bistro and Market opened in the renovated 1917 building — a hefty undertaking for the new restaurateurs who opened not one, but two restaurant concepts under one roof.
With the help of PB&J Group and general manager Austin DeForest, the Versfelds have managed to hit the nail on the head with both the market and the bistro. The market side is more laid back, with a full-service coffee bar that serves breakfast and lunch options, as well as spirits. They also have a retail side with fun gifts — the only place to buy packaged alcohol in downtown Parkville. There’s shaded outdoor seating and a drive-up window — it’s a great spot to meet up with friends or grab something on the go.
The bistro next door manages to be both approachable and upscale at the same time. The beautiful dining room features big, comfy booths, blue velvet upholstery, a long bar lined with mirrors, and even a dining table set inside an old bank vault with some of the original brick exposed. There’s not a television in sight, unless you count the old black and white movies that are projected soundlessly onto the wall.
But while the place is very classy, it doesn’t feel stuffy. It’s a place where you can have a business lunch or bring the family for a birthday or special dinner. You can feel comfortable in jeans, a dressy date night, or both.
“We wanted to create a place where people could sit together, look one another in the eye, and have real conversations — whether it’s about the important things that need to be said, or the words they never seem to find time for otherwise,” says Heather. “I can honestly say it is working. It feels like the Lord is at work here every day.
The bistro and the market have two different menus. The market is more focused on classic daytime selections, like sandwiches and salads, whereas the bistro has more chef-forward versions of those options, plus modern American entrees and small plate offerings. Both spots share the same kitchen, led by chef James McBride, where everything is made from scratch — from dressings to desserts. The bistro’s menu features elevated fare, with options like steak tartare (which you should definitely try), but also familiar choices, such as Prima’s version of shrimp and grits. Chef James manages to blend American cuisine with multicultural influences.
And while there are two different menus, general manager Austin DeForest says there is a ”yes is the answer, what is your question?” mentality when it comes to hospitality. So if you sit down in the market but want to order the free-range chicken dish from the bistro menu next door (and who could blame you), the staff at Prima Facie will oblige.
This frame of mind is executed from the top down at Prima Facie, too.
“The one thing that I think has been great with Heather is she is an actively involved owner,” says Austin. “There was one time we had an in-flight [catering order, a service Prima Facie offers to private airline travelers] and the person wanted to pick up at 4 a.m. She did it herself so no one had to come in at 4 a.m.”
It’s this type of thinking that is making Prima Facie a go-to place in the Northland. And it’s not just a restaurant — it’s a place where people gather and connect.
You may have heard the concept of a “third place.” It’s a space outside of your home (your first place) and work (the second place) where you can socialize, feel welcome and build community. For some people, that place is church, a gym or a library, but many Americans are without a third place. But Heather, Leon and their team are noticing that Prima Facie is becoming a third place for many in Parkville.
“Our vision was to create a space where real connection could happen,” says Heather. “Our goal was to create a space for people to reconnect in a technology-driven world where so much of our attention is consumed by phones and screens.”
Now, Prima Facie is a site for bible studies, family dinners, high school reunions and meet-ups with friends.
“Just last week, I had several people tell me, ‘You know what I love about this place? I walk in and I immediately see five people I know!” says Heather.
As Prima Facie continues to grow into its role as one of Parkville’s third places, the Versfelds remain focused on what inspired them in the first place — connection. With a made-from-scratch menu, a heart for hospitality, and a vision bigger than themselves, Heather and Leon have created more than a restaurant. They’ve created a gathering place.
Prima Facie Bistro and Market
12 E 1st Street
Parkville, Missouri
“Our goal was to create a space for people to reconnect in a technology-driven world where so much of our attention is consumed by phones and screens.”
We prayed. And the more we prayed, the more doors began to open.