We aren’t just committed to our community — we’re owned by it!

A food co-op is a grocery store owned by your neighbors (and by you, if you choose). Unlike corporate chains, we’re totally independent and owned by the community members who shop here. 

Here’s how it works: Everyone is welcome to shop, eat and hang out here. And everyone is welcome to join the co-op by making a one-time investment, and then getting back financial rewards and a vote to choose the board of directors and impact the direction of the business. 

While each food co-op is unique and owned by the community, they’re also part of a network of neighborhood stores across the country that work together toward the day when everyone has the good, local, healthy food they deserve.

Everyone can shop. Anyone can own.

Round up at the registers!

Good.

Change for our Community gives shoppers the opportunity to donate to local organizations each time they shop.

Meet our local producers, like Rubén!

Local.

Products labeled local at The Merc Co+op have been raised, grown or made within 200 miles of our stores.

Check out this week's Fresh Deals!

Food.

Our deals flyers are sure to inspire with organic produce, fresh meat and seafood, cheese and grocery staples.

What is Ownership?

The Merc Co+op provides our community a place to shop, gather, eat and learn by offering real food and sustainable products at reasonable prices through cooperative ownership and responsible commerce.
 
Everyone can shop at The Merc Co+op and anyone can become an owner. Ownership is an investment in a consumer-owned cooperative business that brings health to your local community. The Merc Co+op is currently owned by more than 9,500 of your friends and neighbors who have chosen to invest in a local business that is guided by policies that prioritize the well-being of its customers and community. Learn more about the benefits of ownership today!

A food co-op is a grocery store owned by your neighbors (and by you, if you choose). Unlike corporate chains, we're totally independent and owned by the comm...
 
From main dishes to desserts, your co-op offers a variety of made-from-scratch holiday options to satisfy your guests. Order online today! Select individual traditional or vegan meals with all the classic Thanksgiving fixings, or our Everything But
From main dishes to desserts, your co-op offers a variety of made-from-scratch holiday options to satisfy your guests. Order online today! Select individual traditional or vegan meals with all the classic Thanksgiving fixings, or our Everything But The Turkey option - perfect for four and packed with sides and dinner rolls. Choose from fresh pies or cheesecake to round off your meal - made with local eggs and Kansas flour. Place your orders by November 22 for pick up on Wednesday, November 27 at either location For the full menu and to place your order, visit our #linktree or shop online at www.themerc.coop/thanksgiving 🦃 No cancellations or refunds on holiday catering orders after November 23. Our stores are closed Thanksgiving Day. Stay tuned for our local turkey delivery date! No reservation required, sizes vary, while supplies last.
Save on Field Day Items and Support Native Foodways! Save on more than 270 Field Day items — from maple syrup to wild-caught tuna to paper towels — Oct. 30 through Dec. 3. Field Day is our value brand that offers high-quality, delicious
Save on Field Day Items and Support Native Foodways! Save on more than 270 Field Day items — from maple syrup to wild-caught tuna to paper towels — Oct. 30 through Dec. 3. Field Day is our value brand that offers high-quality, delicious food and household products at affordable prices every day through Co+op Basics, making this savings event even more spectacular. Gathering with family and friends for a Thanksgiving meal is a familiar ritual for many people, and we strive to serve our entire community well during this busy time of year. In recognition that the story of the first Thanksgiving perpetuates an inaccurate and harmful version of history, our co-op is joining food co-ops across the country to make a collective donation to North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS) this November. Food co-ops will donate 5¢ for every Field Day product sold during this promotion. To learn more about NĀTIFS, visit natifs.org or @natifs_org
As our 50th celebrations wind down, we continue to celebrate the investment of thousands of folks in our community who have shaped our co-op over the last 50 years.🎉 In the 90s our co-op outgrew its location on Maine and planned to move to 9th and
As our 50th celebrations wind down, we continue to celebrate the investment of thousands of folks in our community who have shaped our co-op over the last 50 years.🎉 In the 90s our co-op outgrew its location on Maine and planned to move to 9th and Mississippi (now Cork & Barrel). Once again, the new location needed work - owners voted on paint colors, built shelves and our first demo kitchen space, and moved fridges and freezers to the new location. We raised funds through an owner drives, events, and owner loans. In 1996 the co-op narrowly avoided bankruptcy competing with Wild Oats. "I know the community was really trying to support us...they continued to shop our store when we really struggled. We knew we were perceived as David against Goliath and people really wanted to support us because we were the locally-owned underdog," said former GM Jeanie Wells. ❣️ This decade we began hosting the Rolling Prairie CSA, formed the Community Mercantile Education Foundation, and launched our cooking class program. In 1996 @daveloewenstein completed "Seeds" at that location. 🎨 By 2001, we had over 1,500 members and 40 employees and planned to move again, this time to our current location in Lawrence 901 Iowa.
There's still time for local non-profits to apply to be a Change for our Community recipient in 2025! The last day to submit is October 31. Change for our Community gives shoppers the opportunity to donate their spare change to local organizations
There's still time for local non-profits to apply to be a Change for our Community recipient in 2025! The last day to submit is October 31. Change for our Community gives shoppers the opportunity to donate their spare change to local organizations every time they shop. In Lawrence, a different organization is featured as the recipient each month. In Kansas City, one organization is selected for the year. One hundred percent of all donations collected go to the organizations. We are honored to support the @cacdcks and @thehubargentine this month, as well as these tremendous organizations throughout the year. Thank you to all our shoppers for rounding up! Find the application in our #linktree or online at www.themerc.coop/change-application
Congratulations to Cody and Pat, our September and October Employee of the Month! Cody in our Grocery department is calm, reliable, and consistent! His high level of productivity and attention to detail ensure that the freshest products are abundant
Congratulations to Cody and Pat, our September and October Employee of the Month! Cody in our Grocery department is calm, reliable, and consistent! His high level of productivity and attention to detail ensure that the freshest products are abundantly available to shoppers. Cody's ability to pivot to different areas of our operation on a moment's notice is much appreciated by his peers and ensures that we are providing the best service and support to our team and our customers. Pat in Facilities supports every single department. His ability to juggle so many responsibilities and vendor relationships is astounding. Even when things get rocky, Pat keeps a cool, calm demeanor and maintains a positive outlook. If he can't MacGyver a solution to a problem, he does ample research to find the best deal on a service provider. Thank you for all that you do! And shout out to Ana, our Employee of the Quarter! Congrats and thank you!
We honor the memory of Bob Lominska, local farmer and educator who passed away last month. Bob co-founded @rollingprairiefarmers CSA in 1994, and share pick ups have been happening at our co-op ever since. He and his wife Joy began Hoyland Farm, now
We honor the memory of Bob Lominska, local farmer and educator who passed away last month. Bob co-founded @rollingprairiefarmers CSA in 1994, and share pick ups have been happening at our co-op ever since. He and his wife Joy began Hoyland Farm, now with a 50-year history growing organic produce for family, friends, restaurants, and local farmer’s markets. We are deeply grateful for his contributions to our co-op community and wish his family peace in this difficult time.
#local mini pumpkin painting today at the @kckfarmersmarket was a hit! 🎃 Thanks to everyone who stopped by! There's just one market left this season, so join in next Saturday from 8 a.m. - noon, in the co-op's parking lot in KCK!
#local mini pumpkin painting today at the @kckfarmersmarket was a hit! 🎃 Thanks to everyone who stopped by! There's just one market left this season, so join in next Saturday from 8 a.m. - noon, in the co-op's parking lot in KCK!
#repost from the @watkinsmuseum "Do you remember when @themerccoop stood at 700 Maine Street? Even if you weren't in Lawrence then, drop by the Watkins this Saturday between 2-4 PM for a special exhibit reception with The Merc, including histori
#repost from the @watkinsmuseum "Do you remember when @themerccoop stood at 700 Maine Street? Even if you weren't in Lawrence then, drop by the Watkins this Saturday between 2-4 PM for a special exhibit reception with The Merc, including historic images and refreshments!" Can't join us Saturday? You can still see the exhibit through November 16! Thank you to the Watkins Museum of History for their work preserving our community's stories, and collaborating with us on this exhibit!
Co-op owners are invited to the 50th Annual Co-op Meeting, held at StoneBriar Farm in De Soto. We’re excited to host this gathering at a new space, between our two locations! Seating is limited - register online at www.themerc.coop/acm or at th
Co-op owners are invited to the 50th Annual Co-op Meeting, held at StoneBriar Farm in De Soto. We’re excited to host this gathering at a new space, between our two locations! Seating is limited - register online at www.themerc.coop/acm or at the link in our bio ---> @themerccoop Friday, November 15 6 - 8 p.m. Gather with our co-op community to look back at our collective accomplishments and share a cooperative vision for the future. Hear the announcement of our Board election results and the state of our co-op, socialize and enjoy a locally catered meal. 🍻 In addition to a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, owners can toast 50 years with our own Good Company IPA — a collaboration with @freestatebeer
As we celebrate 50 years, we have an opportunity to reflect on the different versions of our co-op throughout the years - from our beginnings when volunteers distributed bulk goods to today operating two stores with over 9,600 owners. During the 80s
As we celebrate 50 years, we have an opportunity to reflect on the different versions of our co-op throughout the years - from our beginnings when volunteers distributed bulk goods to today operating two stores with over 9,600 owners. During the 80s, the co-op was at 700 Maine Street in Lawrence - formerly Turners Grocery, and now a residence. ----the newsletter was produced primarily by the work collective with contributions from members - Chews, News, Stews and Views in 1982 reports the co-op has grown to 600 member households. --The Verbena Bakery was located behind the co-op, the refurbished Bait and Tackle. --the demonstration garden was a collaboration with the Appropriate Technology Center and the Kansas Organic Producers VISTA project. Our co-op grew from 1 paid employee to 22 in the 15 years at this location. Whether you joined today or in 1984, we invite all our shoppers to celebrate with us during this month's Owner Appreciation Days, BOGO 50% deals, giveaways, and more!
From main dishes to desserts, your co-op offers a variety of made-from-scratch holiday options to satisfy your guests. Order online today! Select individual traditional or vegan meals with all the classic Thanksgiving fixings, or our Everything But Save on Field Day Items and Support Native Foodways! Save on more than 270 Field Day items — from maple syrup to wild-caught tuna to paper towels — Oct. 30 through Dec. 3. Field Day is our value brand that offers high-quality, delicious As our 50th celebrations wind down, we continue to celebrate the investment of thousands of folks in our community who have shaped our co-op over the last 50 years.🎉 In the 90s our co-op outgrew its location on Maine and planned to move to 9th and There's still time for local non-profits to apply to be a Change for our Community recipient in 2025! The last day to submit is October 31. Change for our Community gives shoppers the opportunity to donate their spare change to local organizations Congratulations to Cody and Pat, our September and October Employee of the Month! Cody in our Grocery department is calm, reliable, and consistent! His high level of productivity and attention to detail ensure that the freshest products are abundant We honor the memory of Bob Lominska, local farmer and educator who passed away last month. Bob co-founded @rollingprairiefarmers CSA in 1994, and share pick ups have been happening at our co-op ever since. He and his wife Joy began Hoyland Farm, now #local mini pumpkin painting today at the @kckfarmersmarket was a hit! 🎃 Thanks to everyone who stopped by! There's just one market left this season, so join in next Saturday from 8 a.m. - noon, in the co-op's parking lot in KCK! #repost from the @watkinsmuseum "Do you remember when @themerccoop stood at 700 Maine Street? Even if you weren't in Lawrence then, drop by the Watkins this Saturday between 2-4 PM for a special exhibit reception with The Merc, including histori Co-op owners are invited to the 50th Annual Co-op Meeting, held at StoneBriar Farm in De Soto. We’re excited to host this gathering at a new space, between our two locations! Seating is limited - register online at www.themerc.coop/acm or at th As we celebrate 50 years, we have an opportunity to reflect on the different versions of our co-op throughout the years - from our beginnings when volunteers distributed bulk goods to today operating two stores with over 9,600 owners. During the 80s
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