It’s open. We did it!

After 46 years of cooperating and nearly three years of negotiating, planning and constructing, our co-op has opened our second full service grocery store at 501 Minnesota Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas.

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.

Our vision to create a welcoming, multi-cultural urban market that offers a hybrid variety of affordable, conventional, local and organic products has happened. But, we do still have a few kinks to work out. Most importantly - and at the top of our list - is to get approved by the state to accept EBT and WIC. 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?

Plans for the location of a grocery store have changed over the past few years. 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 is this store being paid for?

The Unified Government has demonstrated how much they value creating access to healthy food by mitigating our financial risks. They will fund all of the estimated $7 million construction, equipment, fixtures and furnishings with proceeds from the sale of the Hilton Garden Inn. The co-op will pay 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.

Who will work at the KCK store?

The co-op will hire approximately 20-25 new employees to staff this store. 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 is designing and building the store?

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.

Will art be incorporated into the project?

Art will be a feature at the corner of 5th & Minnesota. The co-op hopes to incorporate murals as well.

Where will shoppers park?

The grocery store will have nearly 60 dedicated spaces within the current lot at 5th & Minnesota. Additional street parking will be available as well.

Will this store be the same as the store at 901 Iowa in Lawrence?

While the store will be smaller than 901 Iowa, it will remain a full-service grocery store with produce, salad bar, packaged meat and seafood and grocery staples as well as a deli and cafe. Product selection will greatly depend on what the KCK community wants and needs from their neighborhood store.

What will expansion mean for local producers?

We look forward to expanding current partnerships and building new relationships with local KCK farmers and producers.

What does this mean for prices?

Access and affordability is necessary, which is why we offer more affordable options and our store brands, Field Day and Best Choice. We currently accept SNAP/EBT and WIC. In addition, we offer MercShare+, a program that provides subsidized $10 ownership shares and 10% discounts to those on food assistance. As the co-op grows, we increase our buying power - which means better prices for our shoppers.

Why not expand in Lawrence?

The co-op has explored the feasibility of this. Within Lawrence today, there are several factors that prevent us from opening another location, including high real estate costs, population limitations and market saturation.

Where can I go for more information?

Stay tuned to our website at themerc.coop/expansion or Rita York Hennecke, General Manager.

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.