One co-op. Two locations.

Our co-op opened our second full service grocery store at 501 Minnesota Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas after 46 years of operating in Lawrence. On the morning of Thursday, July 30 around 9:00 a.m., we quietly opened the doors and a small group of our new neighbors came in to see the store for the first time.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. As cooperative grocers, there's no greater reward than hearing gratitude from the community we are serving. We are committed to making sure that everyone is welcome and able to shop at the co-op.

The Merc Co+op wants to send a sincere thank you to our dedicated founders, devoted owners and shoppers, hard working staff in Lawrence and KCK, local producers and distributors, community partners and the Unified Government of Wyandotte/KCK for making this store possible.This expansion of the co-op creates greater impact in the communities we serve and supports our Ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Merc Co+op signed an agreement with The Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas/Wyandotte County (UG) to open a 14,000 square foot grocery store at 5th & Minnesota in downtown KCK. They broke ground on August 15 and the store opened in on July 30.

Why this location?

Originally, a store and new YMCA facility were planned for 10th & Minnesota and aimed to rally commercial and residential development. Following Mayor Alvey’s election, the store was decoupled from the YMCA project to reduce barriers, decrease costs and speed up the development process.

The UG identified a few potential sites, and 5th & Minnesota was selected as it was property owned by government and free of an existing building. In addition, the site is located in a catalyst block of the Downtown Master Plan, and the current development of the KU building and the Hilton Garden would provide necessary foot traffic to achieve the sales needed for a store to survive.

How was this store paid for?

The Unified Government funded all of the estimated $7 million construction, equipment, fixtures and furnishings with proceeds from the sale of the Hilton Garden Inn. The co-op pays property taxes and utilities. Learn more at www.wycokck.org.

Can I shop at the co-op if I’m not an owner?

Yes! Everyone can shop. Anyone can own. There are perks and benefits to ownership, and when owners shop they earn points towards a year-end rebate. In addition, co-op owners can run for and vote in the board of director elections. Find out more at www.themerc.coop/ownership.

Who are the decision-makers?

The board of directors, elected by the co-op’s owners, voted to allow the general manager to pursue the project. Information about the co-op’s board and how they operate can be found at www.themerc.coop/board. The co-op is community-owned and operates autonomously from the Unified Government.

Who works at the KCK store?

15 employees staff this location. We have made it a priority to hire individuals from the KCK community to reflect the ethnically diverse demographics. More information about co-op employment can be found at www.themerc.coop/employment.

Who designed the store and completed construction?

The UG selected International Architects Atelier (KCMO). In February, the UG held two community input sessions to receive feedback on the proposed designs. That feedback shaped the plans to move ahead with the rendering featured. The UG selected McCown Gordon Construction (KCMO), and as the general contractor, McCown Gordon has committed to hiring Minority, Women and Locally-Based Business Enterprises. For more information, contact www.mccowngordon.com.

The UG has discussed selling the building to a private owner. What does that mean for the co-op?

With long-term sustainability, the co-op would have the option to purchase the property.

Learn more

Is this store the same as the store at 901 Iowa in Lawrence?

While the store is smaller than 901 Iowa, it will remain a full-service grocery store with produce, packaged meat and seafood and grocery staples. Product selection reflects the needs of the KCK community and constantly evolves with sales data, requests, and feedback.

Are prices competitive?

Your local food co-op knows how important it is to get delicious food for your family at the best prices; that’s why we offer weekly deals! We offer affordable options and our store brands at both locations, like Field Day and Best Choice. We accept SNAP/EBT and WIC. As the co-op grows, we increase our buying power - which means better prices for our shoppers.

KCK Commission Approves Downtown Grocery Store Project

Friday, August 31, 2018

By a vote of 9-0, the city commission approved a downtown grocery store to be operated by The Merc Co+op.

"On behalf of the our co-op, I want to say how excited we are to open a cooperatively-owned grocery store in KCK where everyone can shop and anyone can own. Thank you so much for the hospitality and support that your community has shown us," said Rita York Hennecke, General Manager.

"We want everyone to know that as a co-op, we exist to serve people's needs. To that end, we are looking forward to listening and discovering what you want from your neighborhood grocery store."

A construction timeline and store design has not been determined. For more information about the project, view the video below or click on the links to local media coverage.

view the commission meeting.

Presentation begins at 19:40

The Merc Co+op to Consider Expansion in Kansas City, Kansas

Statement issued July 10, 2018

The Merc Co+op has signed a non-binding letter of intent with The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas (UG) to open a grocery store at the corner of 5th and Minnesota in downtown KCK. They are now in the process of negotiating a management agreement.

“We are excited about this potential opportunity in Kansas City. We are not bound by contract at this point, nor determined store design or product selection,” said Rita York Hennecke, General Manager. “That said, we look forward to working with the KCK community to discover what neighbors would want in their store.”

Read the full statement on our blog.

Read the General Manager's July 2018 newsletter article.