Cheese Department
Welcome to the Merc Cheese Department, home of the largest selection of gourmet and specialty cheeses in Lawrence. Carrying the best in traditional European and artisanal American cheeses, we’re sure to have the right cheese for any occasion, with the best prices in the region. Click the Cheese Overview page on the left to learn more or browse through their latest posts below.
Click to see our Spring / Summer Catering Menu.
One of the joys of working with cheese on a daily basis is trying out new and delicious cheeses from local producers. So when Jason Wiebe dropped by our case with a sample of his aged cheddar, we were deligh...
Gruyere is the reason Switzerland is famous for its cheese - this nutty, creamy, melt-able delight has been celebrated as one of the great cheeses of the world for centuries. It is known as an Alpine cheese, as in, produced from the raw milk of cows who ...
From Tumalo Farms in Oregon comes Pondhopper, yet another wonderful union of beer and cheese. Made with goat's milk, the curds are steeped in a locally produced beer before being set in its wheel. The texture is reminescent of a soft gouda, and the f...
Over the past two weeks we, the cheese guys, have encountered some confused and somewhat distraught customers. The reason? The apparent disappearance of our beloved Musser Artisan Cheese. Let me say, for the record, that if that glorious, creamy, sharp, ...
Cheese Department
Welcome to the Merc Cheese Department, home of the largest selection of gourmet and specialty cheeses in Lawrence. Carrying the best in traditional European and artisanal American cheeses, we’re sure to have the right cheese for any occasion, with the best prices in the region.
If you’re unsure about a specific variety or need help finding the right cheese for your recipe or wine pairing, simply ask one of our friendly and knowledgeable Cheese Assistants! We also offer cheese trays made to order – whatever the size of your party and preferences of you and your guests, we’ve got the right tray for you!
When You Shop The Merc’s Cheese Counter, You'll Find:
- We offer selection of over 100 cheese varieties, daily
- Several local cheeses and a commitment to seeking out and
- selling new local cheese products
- We avoid cheese produced from cattle raised with rBST growth hormone
- A wide selection of organic and sustainably produced products
- We have the best prices on artisanal cheese in our region
We are always happy to offer you samples and impart any cheese-related knowledge you may seek!
Stop by The Merc's Deli counter for made-to-order sandwiches (hot and cold),salads, soups and fresh smoothies, coffee or espresso drinks.
M-F
M-SatOur pizzas are created daily on our house made crust with only the freshest ingredients. Every morning our skilled cooks carefully choose two types of pizza to prepare. Check back daily to find out what's hot and ready today.
M-Sat
Stop by and we will make you a sandwich made to order using our finest meats and cheeses that we also sell for you to take and make at home. Our choose one of our classic Merc Specialty Sandwiches.
Our salad bar is fresh daily with all of the fixings you'll want. We even make our own salad dressings in house.
If you are on the go or just want something easy for dinner tonight. Grab a favorite today!
Take your tongue for a walk on the wild side with this zippy salad featuring local Central Soy tofu & house-made miso vinaigrette. Bright citrus notes set off an umami tsunami whose earthy tones you can ride all the way to a healthy filling lunch. In the evening, try pairing it with some ruby trout from our seafood counter for a meal in minutes. This is one salad you can enjoy around the clock!
Treat your heart and your sweet tooth with this masterful mash-up of flavors. Good-for-you tart cherry juice intertwines with luscious pomegranate and organic chocolate syrups, and then the combination is brought to bubbling life with La Croix sparkling water. Whether the weather is playing at winter or spring, this'll put a pep in your step and make your taste buds sing!
Join us in welcoming an old favorite with a brand new twist: Our beloved chocolate cheesecake is back, and it brought along a brand new crust. That's right, our bakers are stepping up their chocolate game with house-made chocolate graham crackers for the crust. This double chocolate combo will have you hooked!
Co-op Calendar events are listed below. To view all Merc events, click on the View Full Calendar link.
7-9 pm
After a busy day we all want to enjoy a simple healthy dinner. Join Hilary in sampling three dinners that take about 30 minutes each to prepare. First up, a simple Fritatta that includes Vibrant Greens served with Polenta. Next we’ll explore the infinite varieties of Quesadillas - filled and grilled, always with lots of vegetables. Finally, a super simple Curry Dinner to make at home thanks to coconut milk and prepared curry paste. Hilary will serve this with exotic and simple Black Rice. All done in 30!
Taught by: Hilary Kass, MPH
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors
2-4 pm
Warm your winter kitchen with Melt-in-Your-Mouth Hot Cross Buns; Fabulous Yeasted Coffee Cake; and Spectacular Made-from-Scratch Cinnamon Rolls. What better way to spend a cold Saturday afternoon then in the Merc kitchen with Mari Ruck teaching. Guaranteed to be entertaining, informative, and delicious. The tea and coffee will be brewing.
Taught by: Mari Ruck
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
We’ll travel the globe with all new recipes featuring the humble bean. We’ll start the evening with a delicious Pureed White Bean Spread served on Crostini. Then on to simple Black Bean Tostadas with trimmings, and an Instant Tamale Pie topped with Sour Cream & Guacamole. We’ll switch cuisines with a savory Greek Pizza starring garbanzo beans, and end with a beautiful Minestrone & Parmesan Biscuit Pot Pie. Each participant will get to take home a complimentary can of Eden beans to get you started cooking.
Taught by: Nancy O'Connor, MS Ed
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
Take a little trip around the world with Chef Nancy as she shares her love of curries, accompanied with flatbreads for dipping, scooping and wrapping! First we’ll make Fresh Corn Flatbread with Chiles (similar to a corn tortilla by way of India), perfect for eating with Spicy Chopped Tomato-Cucumber Salad. Then we’ll sample fresh hot Puri (Indian Fried Flatbread) with Sambhar Masala (Aromatic Mixed Vegetable Curry). We’ll finish in Ethiopia with Injera (a soft griddle baked flatbread) and Doro Wot, a traditional Ethiopian chicken curry. And, of course, a surprise sweet.
Taught by: Chef Nancy Stark
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters is a culinary classic. Join Paige in her second class preparing recipes from this very famous cookbook, starting with Long Cooked Broccoli (served on a croûton). Next you’ll enjoy delicious and seasonal Curly Kale & Potato Soup, followed by Moroccan Sweet Potato Salad and a very Classic Beef Stew. The meal will be complete with a 1-2-3-4 Cake (a simple and perfect butter cake). This is a class focused on simple foods prepared with excellent ingredients using classic techniques. A winner!
Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
Join Chef Nancy as we explore the delicious world of Thai food with a batch of new dishes. We’ll begin with Superfast Steamed Fish with Chile and Lime, with a side of Green Bean, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad. Next up: Homemade Curry Paste as the base for Rustic Red Curry Beef, along with Coconut Rice and Stir-fry Broccoli with Crispy Garlic. And of course, a sweet ending!
Taught by: Chef Nancy Stark
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
Join Paige for a new outlook on winter salads as she works her magic with a variety of vinaigrettes, a mixture of warm and cold salads and lots of winter fruits and vegetables. You’ll enjoy a Salad of Shredded Romaine & Radicchio with Apples, Asian Pears & Buttermilk Dressing; Winter Pasta Salad with Cauliflower and Walnut Pesto; Warm Cabbage Salad with Smoked Ham & Goat Cheese; Refreshing Fennel & Carrot Salad; and an Avocado & Citrus Salad with Green Olives. A true cure for the winter blues.
Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors