Community Room & Kitchen
The Merc Co+op has a Classroom & Demonstration Kitchen, that doubles as our cafe! This multi-purpose space is where our community can eat, gather and learn. In addition to shopping and dining here, you can expect to find:
cooking classes
drop-in, family-friendly activities
active cooking demos
vendor samplings
store tours
and more!
Reservations
Organizations, community groups, and small business owners are welcome to reserve our classroom for meetings, classes, or workshops. The community rooms are not intended for individual or private use, such as birthdays, baby showers or church services. Review the complete room use guidelines and submit your application for use with the form at the bottom of this page.
Reservation requests should be made no less than two weeks in advance.
The room can be reserved up to two months in advance.
The maximum capacity is 28 people.
No outside food or alcohol is allowed.
Prior to Using the Classroom
Review the Co+op Kitchen Use policies below. Note: individuals/groups who violate Classroom policies will have their approved application temporarily or permanently revoked.
Complete and sign the room use and rental agreement below.
Complete a tour of the Classroom Kitchen. (To arrange a tour, email or call 785-843-8544 ext. 209)
Provide refundable deposit of $150 when using the kitchen, $75 for the classroom space only
A reservation is not finalized until the Rental Agreement and rental and deposit fees are received. We will contact you to confirm your reservation, and, for first time use, schedule a meeting to arrange the appropriate paperwork and a tour of the kitchen.
The Community Classroom is leased only to approved and compliant clients in good standing with The Merc Co+op. Priority is given to existing contracted vendors and standing reservations. New and additional reservations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Merc Co+op reserves the right to change or modify any of these policies, at any time and in our sole discretion. Any changes or modification will be effective immediately upon posting.
Use Policies
Availability
The Merc Co+op’s Community Classroom can be rented any day of the week on a first-come, first-served basis. The room may be reserved between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. As this is a shared space with our café, restrictions may apply.
Events can be scheduled up to two (2) months in advance.
Scheduling recurring events is possible, but dependent on the classroom's existing schedule.
For room use with an associated cost for attendees: In addition to the cleaning deposit, the rental fee is $25 per use. Prices include use of the space, major kitchen equipment, small wares, utilities and cleaning supplies. No reservation will be accepted more than two (2) months in advance of the event or activity. Changes to the Rental Agreement must be agreed upon at least two weeks prior to rental and are at the discretion of The Merc Co+op.
Non-profit organizations can use the room for no additional fee beyond the deposit.
Cancellations
Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the date of reservation. The Merc Co-op reserves the right to retain any rental fees if required notice of cancellation is not given.
Rental Fee Payment
Initial Payment
First-time Classroom and Kitchen clients must submit the following items at least two weeks in advance of their initial use of the kitchen.
Damage deposit
Rental fee (if applicable)
Signed Use Agreement
The Classroom and Kitchen's fees and Agreement must be complete to the co-op, or can be brought at the time of your tour. Payments may be made as credit/debit card. Failure to deliver these items to the co-op within the 2-week period will result in forfeiture of all rental rights and fees.
Damage
By submitting an application and using the Co+op Classroom and Kitchen, the client agrees to pay for any and all damage done to property, facilities, fixtures or grounds occurring during the time period of the client’s use, but only to the extent resulting from client’s negligent or willful act or omission, or the negligent or willful act or omission of the client’s officers, agents, employees, guests, patrons, or invitees. If The Merc Co+op pursues legal remedies available for collection of debt, the applicant agrees to pay all costs of collection efforts, including but not limited to attorney fees and court costs. Damage includes theft of any property owned by The Merc Co+op that is made available for use in the Co+op Classroom and Kitchen.
Disallowed Site Uses
The Co+op Classroom and Kitchen, when rented as a shared-use kitchen for community groups, entrepreneurs and small business owners, is for demonstration purposes only — such as cooking classes. The Co+op Classroom and Kitchen is not a KDA-approved commercial kitchen, and production for sale is not allowed.
On-site vending (vending not run through the co-ops register systems) is not allowed. Failure to comply with this policy will result in temporary or permanent revocation of the client’s approved application.
Classroom Equipment & Capacity
No tacks, nails or tape may be used or placed on doors, walls or windows.
Wi-Fi is available. The passcode is in a frame on the wall within the room.
50” television with HDMI projection cord is available upon request.
Capacity:
Open Square — 16 maximum
Classroom/Theater — 28 maximum
Tables & Chairs
4, 4’ round tables and 6 2’ x 4’ tables are available for use.
If moving tables and chairs, lift them to avoid scraping the floor and damaging the table.
All tables and chairs should be returned to their original position at the end of room use.
Kitchen Equipment (when applicable)
The client has use of this equipment for the time reserved.
Clients will find the following items in the kitchen; request access to needed tools in advance of your reservation:
Electric burner
Gas burners
One countertop convection oven (holds up to four half-sheet pans)
One 5 qt. mixer
One refrigerator
One freezer
Counter prep space
One large compartment sink
One hand sink
One dishwasher
Restroom access
Small tools are accessible on request. The Co+op Classroom Kitchen does not provide on-site storage units.
What to Bring
Clients should bring all disposable items, such as plastic wrap, foil, sheet pan liners, etc. No personally-owned or rented gas fired appliances will be allowed in the co-op kitchen.
Cleaning and Supplies
Each client is responsible for cleaning the kitchen as part of their kitchen use including all countertops, cabinets, equipment, tables and floors. Equipment should be fully cleaned and put away. The Merc Co+op will supply necessary cleaning supplies. If additional supplies are needed, the client is responsible for acquisition and costs. If the kitchen is not clean upon inspection after use, the deposit will not be refunded and the user is not guaranteed further use of the room.
Room Access & Orientation
Before a client’s first rental, co-op staff will provide an orientation to cover basic use procedures. The kitchen and classroom are only available with prior reservation.
Code of Conduct
Clients and their staff will follow all food safety protocols. A refresher course for food handlers can be found here. Clients are responsible for having up-to-date knowledge of food safety standards for themselves and their staff.
The Merc Co+op is committed to providing a friendly and welcoming environment to its patrons, and a safe workplace for its employees. Physical, violent, harmful or disruptive behavior or harassment will not be tolerated. The term “harassment” for all purposes includes, but is not limited to, offensive language, jokes, or other verbal, graphic or physical conduct relating to an employee’s race, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or other factor protected by law, which would make a reasonable person experiencing such harassment uncomfortable in the work environment or which could interfere with the person’s job performance.
For safety and security purposes, the Community Classroom must remain visible and accessible to co-op staff at all times, as needed; and conduct must adhere to these policies at all times.
Children are always welcome at The Merc Co+op and in the Community Classroom. For safety purposes, children must be accompanied by an adult.
In consideration for and as a condition of the use of the above stated facilities, applicant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless The Merc Co+op, its elected board, employees, and agents, against any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, costs and liabilities resulting from or caused by the use and occupation of the facility, including attorney fees incurred as a result of any indemnified claim, whether such use is authorized or not and whether arising from the negligent or willful act or omission of the applicant or any of its board members, agents, employees, guests, patrons, or invitees; and the applicant shall, at its sole risk and expense, defend any and all indemnified claims, actions or legal proceedings which may be brought against any of the indemnified parties, using attorneys reasonably acceptable to the indemnified parties.
By submitting the online form and agreeing to the terms of use, the applicant verifies to have read and understood all policies, including the reservation procedure, disallowed site uses, and facility rental fees and agrees to abide by them.