The Merc Co+op - Lawrence, Kansas

Jackie B.

I absolutely love being able to shop at a store that's openly supporting the local economy and interests. They have lots of local products and clearly mark them, a fantastic bulk goods&tea section with spices I have struggled to find anywhere else, and the eggs here tend to be cheaper than other stores in Lawrence. As someone who shops at a few stores for groceries, there's some items here that are definitely on the expensive side so I do still spread out my shopping. The prepared foods are super yummy too. Definitely a must check out if you love to cook or are looking to shop more locally.

Andrew C.

Jimi and Sean in the meat department are top notch! Always friendly, knowledgeable and happy to help with special orders and recipe ideas. Jimi is very personable and professional and always excited to help out!

Cynthia W.

Quality, healthy and delicious items sold here. Prices are very reasonable for this level of food, beverages and take home items. The cookies are some of the best I've had! Excellent place to shop!

Aelin C.

My favorite grocery store! Can definitely be a little pricey, but gives you the ability to try a lot of things that are otherwise only available online or at farmer's markets. Plus, everything is extremely transparent on what ingredients are used. For families with dietary restrictions: THIS IS THE PLACE TO SHOP

Staff have always been helpful when needed, and are lovely to my kiddos. The tiny carts are a bit of a hazard for my little ones, but they sure do love them lol

Also, kids under 12 get a piece of fruit! So if you have little ones who become very agitated in stores like I do, there's a healthy and easily available distraction for them right at the front doors. I love this place, we come here all the time. Really a gem in the community!

Tiffany L.

When we moved to Lawrence in 2014, the Merc was an instant attraction. Coming from Phoenix, I missed the deli from Whole Foods but found an even more delicious - and healthy - option with the Merc. Their ingredients were always proudly displayed and no corners were cut, like using canola oil or “olive oil blend” instead of olive oil (as is done today). Sadly, the Merc of years past is no longer.

The sandwiches, as another reviewer noticed, have decreased in quality substantially. Their once fresh made sauces now come out of a container with a ton of ingredients listed on the side. The delicious salsas that used to be half the reason I’d grab their breakfast burritos no longer exist, and if you want sour cream with your burrito that doesn’t have a ton of gunk in it, you’re going to have to buy that too (the sour cream packets that are offered never would have been allowed in the Merc per their own previous standards before.) Don’t even get me started on our beloved “Fish Friday” that was once a weekly tradition for my family. The last several times we’ve gotten it, if there was any fish in the pieces, they looked like what would have once been reject parts. I get the rising food prices, but up your price and keep your quality and standards high, or just don’t offer subpar food in the meantime. We would have gladly paid several dollars more per sandwich, for instance, even without the chips and drink, but now we pay $0 because we no longer want the product.

The actual products carried in the store have also changed drastically. The Merc used to only carry very particular types of dairy and meat that met stringent requirements. Now that has all gone out the window. Perhaps it’s what the majority wants, but the high prices don’t seem to reflect the lower quality products, even before the rising cost of food that we have now.

I’m disappointed, as the Merc used to be our one stop shop that we could trust on product quality (and prices that were worth paying for the quality), but that is no longer the case, and unfortunately we have taken our business elsewhere for the most part.

Bring back the old Merc!

Geraldo S.

Excellent local grocery store, with salad bar, hot bar, great produce and meats, bulk grains, nuts, and spices. Friendly staff. Update (July 30, 2024): Unfortunately, the hot bar was discontinued recently. This is regretful.

Jenessa A.

I love stopping through here "just because." That's how much I love the atmosphere! Their cold and hot food bar are wonderful for getting a quick and nourishing meal. They've got sandwiches made to order, sushi, salad bar, soup bar, smoothie bar, and a variety of cold sides and entrees ready to be heated up, as well as an assortment of hot meal items. I love their local vegetable selection as well as their local items throughout the store. Their workers seem to always be happy too!

Terence M.

So I interviewed for a job and they told me they would email me. I never received an email like they said. I asked them a while later and they said they gave the job to someone else. I then submitted another application and THEY COMPLETELY IGNORED IT. They must've blacklisted me. They had no problem screwing me over TWICE.