Updated March 2, 2022
The Douglas County mask mandate expired as of March 2, 2022. Wyandotte County ended their mask mandate on December 16, 2021. Masks are not required at either co-op location. We continue to sell masks at both locations.
Updated January 5, 2021
Effective January 7, Douglas County implemented an emergency mask mandate for everyone aged 2 and older in indoor public spaces. The order is set to expire or be extended on January 12. View the order:
Single use and reusable cloth masks are available for sale at both co-op locations. Masks are not currently required in Wyandotte County.
The health and safety of our co-op community is our highest priority. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread throughout the country, here are some of the actions The Merc Co+op is taking to help protect both you and our employees.
We closely monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kansas Department of Health and Environment. We continue to rely on their recommendations and expertise to inform our decisions. In recent contact with the KDHE, your co-op was praised for our planning and execution thus far.
UPDATED December 16, 2021
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Wyandotte County voted 6-4 Thursday night to end its current indoor mask mandate early and effective immediately despite recommendation from public health officials to maintain it. Wyandotte County commissioners originally voted Nov. 18 to extend the current mask mandate to Jan. 6.
UPDATED AUGUST 6, 2021
Wyandotte County requires masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Updated July 28, 2021
To prevent further spread of the Delta variant, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance on Tuesday to recommend that fully vaccinated [and unvaccinated] people wear masks indoors when in areas with "substantial" and "high" transmission of Covid-19, which includes nearly two-thirds of all US counties. Source
For that reason, our co-op strongly recommends that shoppers, vaccinated or unvaccinated, wear a mask when shopping our stores. Learn more.
Updated June 1, 2021
Effective June 1, our cafe dining rooms are open for in store dining at half capacity.
Some in-person classes will resume in Lawrence in July. Learn more on classes page.
Our Lawrence Hot Bar + Salad Bar have resumed service. Gloves and sanitizer are available.
Our Lawrence Bulk Department has resumed service as usual. Gloves and sanitizer are available.
Updated July 1, 2020
Effective in Douglas County on Wednesday, July 1 and the state of Kansas on July 3, masks are required in all indoor public spaces. Thank you for wearing a covering over your nose and mouth while in store. If you do not have one, we have single use and reusable available for sale.
updated Tuesday, April 22, 2020
UPDATED TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2020
Store Returns
Should you find that a product does not meet our standards for freshness or is in some way defective, we will offer a replacement or issue a refund. Due to unprecedented demand for certain products and limited product availability, the co-op cannot guarantee replacements. If you return an item to the store, you may be asked to dispose of it in a receptacle.
Outside Containers
Outside containers for self serve deli foods are prohibited. Outside containers for bulk foods are not recommended.
Reusable Shopping Bags
Shoppers who bring their own reusable shopping bags will be asked to bag their own groceries.
Bulk Water System
At this time, our bulk water system is available and personal vessels are allowed. As we do with the gravity (pull) containers in bulk foods, we sanitize the station as part of our cleaning checklist system. Please keep your vessel in your cart at check out.
Hildebrand Milk Bottles
It is essential to Hildebrand Dairy’s business that milk bottles are returned to them for sanitation and refill. For that reason, we will continue to accept clean Hildebrand milk bottles. Shoppers will be asked to place their bottles into the return crates.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 22, 2020
The health and safety of our co-op community is our highest priority. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread throughout the country, here are some of the actions The Merc Co+op is taking to help protect both you and our employees.
We closely monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kansas Department of Health and Environment. We continue to rely on their recommendations and expertise to inform our decisions. In recent contact with the KDHE, your co-op was praised for our planning and execution thus far.
What are your hours?
The store remains open regular hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week.
Will you reduce hours or implement special shopping hours for seniors?
At this moment, we believe it does not help our community to reduce hours and it, in fact, potentially increases the number of people in store at any given time. In addition, we believe it to be unwise to gather our most vulnerable shoppers into the store at the same time, and experts are saying that same thing. What we are doing now allows us to better align with social distancing recommendations.
We are also using shopping data to track our slower hours and sharing that with our shoppers who wish to know. And, we are working hard to make curbside pick up a reality.
Do you offer grocery pick up?
Yes. Learn more about our Co+op Curbside program at www.themerc.coop/curbside. We recommend pick up for those who consider themselves high risk or those who cannot wear a mask.
Do you offer grocery delivery?
Not at this time.
Are you offering prepared foods?
Yes, our Fresh to Go case is full of ready to eat foods including packaged sandwiches, salads, take and bake entrees, and more. We transitioned our full service case to packaged items in our Fresh To Go case.
Is your coffee and juice bar open?
Yes. At this time, made to order espresso drinks, smoothies and juices are available from 7 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Is your cafe seating area open?
Yes, as of July 1, 2021. (Previously: No, in accordance with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's mandate and to encourage social distancing, we have temporarily closed our seating area.)
Can I use my own shopping bags, containers and cups?
Until further notice, the co-op has suspended the use of outside containers such as cups, produce bags, and jars for prepared food and drink as well as bulk and produce.
Shoppers who bring their own reusable shopping bags will be asked to bag their own groceries.
Are you selling bulk foods?
Yes. The vertical bulk bins are accessible to shoppers and we are sanitizing those pull handles on a regular basis. At this time, we have discontinued offering bulk products that require the use of a scoop. We are doing our best to package top sellers in those categories to make those available for purchase.
What can I expect with product availability?
Our number one priority is feeding our community. Supply is limited from all national and regional distributors, which is why you'll see new and different items coming through the store. Some of these foods may not live up to the strict standards that the co-op has historically adhered to. Now is not the time to reject or exclude the foods, products or brands that are available to us. Now is the time to serve and feed our community. Thank you, in advance, for your support and understanding.
Can I place a special order?
In an effort to better serve our greater community, your co-op is implementing the following temporary service changes. Effective March 16:
UPDATED JULY 1, 2020: Special orders are allowed. Due to stock, wait time on some products may be longer than normal.
We will not allow holds on items of any kind at this time. First come, first served.
We will implement limits on high demand items such as toilet paper and rubbing alcohol. We do this in an effort to serve as many shoppers as possible. Signs will be posted on shelves for items that will be limited.
Are you offering deals?
We will continue to pass deals on to you as we receive them. However, we have suspended the printing of our weekly Fresh Deals and Co+op Deals flyers until further notice. Due to product availability with our vendors, we cannot guarantee stock on items at this time. Please keep an eye out for deals with our shelf signage.
Are classes cancelled?
Our top priority is ensuring the health and safety of our staff, members, shoppers and class attendees. In the interest of our community, and based on decisions made by other local and national organizations regarding social distancing and gatherings of 10 or fewer, we have decided to cancel all cooking and community classes through the end of August 2020.
If you have signed up for a class, we have cancelled your seat(s) and will issue class credit or a refund to the original form of payment. Due to the quantity of orders, please allow up to 6 weeks for credit or refunds to apply. Our Class Specialist will be in contact with you.
We hope to reschedule some of the affected classes. Please stay tuned to our website and email for information. Stay up to date with your favorite instructors and what they are doing by following their websites and/or social media.
If you have any questions, please contact us at classes@themerc.coop. The well-being of our shoppers, class attendees and staff remains our focus.
How can I practice social distancing in a grocery store?
It is recommended that people stay at least six (6) feet apart in order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We all need to learn this new skill together. Social distancing is not just for you, it is also out of consideration for others. Please be aware of other customers and co-op employees, and give people their space.⠀
Try to proactively - and kindly - communicate with people who are in the space you want to be in. For example, if an employee is stocking groceries near a product you are seeking, please alert the staff of your needs and allow time for them to move away.
When in line, allow ample space between yourself and the next person.
What is the co-op's cleaning regiment?
Each department has a detailed cleaning checklist that includes sanitizing cart and basket handles, door handles, and other high-touch surfaces 2-4 times per day. We are using a bleach solution and procedure that is confirmed to kill COVID-19. Managers are checking in with staff regularly to make sure we stay on top of this vital task.
What type of air circulation happens in the store?
Our HVAC system cycles through the air in the store every hour. We are working with our technicians to speed this up even more and provide shoppers with fresh, outside air while shopping.
Are you hiring?
We are always accepting applications. Please visit our website at www.themerc.coop/employment to fill out an online application.
Questions?
Contact us at ownerservices@themerc.coop.