Kansas City area grocery store will close after 5 years. ‘A challenging time’
A Kansas City, Kansas, grocery store is closing after five years.
The Merc Co+op, a locally owned market that’s connected to the National Co+op Grocers group, will shut down its 501 Minnesota Ave. spot at the end of the year.
Laura Marsh, a spokeswoman with the company, said financial sustainability was the primary concern motivating the decision.
“It’s a challenging time,” she told The Star on Tuesday.
Marsh said the store’s 12 staff members were notified Monday, and the team is helping transition some of its employees to the Lawrence location, which will remain open.
For those who aren’t moving to the Lawrence location, The Merc team is helping them build resumes and prepare for the next step, Marsh said.
“When we were invited to operate this location, our goal has been to serve the folks who are living here,” she said. “Our plan is to do that to the best of our ability until the last day we’re here.”
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County owns the building The Merc resides in. Marsh said the UG is pursuing other tenants for the space, though she hasn’t heard any specifics.
She expressed gratitude toward the community for its patronage over the past few years.
“We really appreciate the folks who have supported us,” she said. “All sorts of folks have used our classroom and kitchen spaces … thankful for everyone.”
The Merc offers investment opportunities for customers to buy shares of the business. It shares resources with other stores at National Co+op Grocers, which is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota.