The Merc

Welcome to The Merc

At The Merc Community Market and Deli, we're more than just a "health food store" � we're a full service grocery store owned by our community. The Merc is here whether you need a fast and healthy meal from our Deli, a shopping cart full of organic groceries, or desire to learn more about cooking in oue of our classes. The Merc serves as the community hub for local and organic foods, and we back up our selection with the best customer service in town.

Latest Posts

Outreach - 02/20/2012

Bon Appetite!

Participants were bursting with delight at the wrap of Cajun Cuisine - In Time for Mardi Gras, as they had a good ol’ fashioned party while tasting delights from Cajun Country. Both vegetarians and carnivores enjoyed variations of Red Bean...

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Employment

Join a Great Team! We are committed to providing the best customer service in Lawrence and that starts with our employees. In striving to be the best employer in town, we offer a competitive benefits package to all of our employees. Those benefits include:

  • a recently increased living wage for our entry-level positions and competitive wages for all other levels
  • a generous store discount
  • medical, dental and vision insurance (at 30 hours per week) of which The Merc pays a portion and free life insurance
  • a 401(k) retirement plan of which The Merc matches up to 3%
  • Free community classes
  • And so much more!

Below is a current listing of what jobs are available at The Merc. Please click here for an application. Fill out the application and bring it in to the store along with your resume. If we have a position that is a good fit for your skill set and your schedule, we will give you a phone call for an interview. We retain all applications for one year, but if you see a different job opening that you're interested in after a few months, please feel free to apply again. Thanks for your interest!

To receive current employment opportunities sent to your email click here to signup. Any new job postings within 30 days will be sent to your inbox.


Cook

 

We are looking for help in our Kitchen.  Responsibilities include preparing food according to department guidelines, adhering to health and safety guidelines, packaging and preparing food.  Applicants must have previous professional cooking experience.  40 hours, days/evenings/weekends.  We offer health benefits to employees who regularly work at least 30 hours in a week, along with the other great benefits we offer to all of our employees.  Please come into the store to drop off an application during business hours (7 AM - 10 PM).

Contact Name: Leah Betzen
Contact Phone: 785-843-8544
Contact Email: hr@themerc.coop
Posted on February 22, 2012


Grocery Assistant

 

We are looking for assistance in our Grocery department.  Responsibilities include stocking and facing product, unloading delivery trucks and offering exceptional customer service.  The ideal candidate will have previous retail grocery experience.  30 hours, days/evenings/weekends. Please come into the store to drop off an application during business hours (7 AM - 10 PM).

Contact Name: Leah Betzen
Contact Phone: 785-843-8544
Contact Email: hr@themerc.coop
Posted on February 13, 2012


Meat and Seafood Assistant

 

We are looking for assistance in our Meat and Seafood department.  Responsibilities include packaging meat and seafood products, offering exceptional customer service and maintaining a clean and aesthetically pleasing department.  The ideal candidate will have previous meat, butchering or food services experience.  40 hours, days/evenings/weekends.  We offer health benefits to employees who regularly work at least 30 hours in a week, along with the other great benefits we offer to all of our employees.  Please come into the store to drop off an application during business hours (7 AM - 10 PM).

Contact Name: Leah Betzen
Contact Phone: 785-843-8544
Contact Email: hr@themerc.coop
Posted on January 30, 2012


Merchandising Manager

 

We are looking for a Merchandising Manager to join our team!  This person will work with the department managers to create displays, conduct resets and manage product categories.  Candidates must have previous professional merchandising experience.  The ideal candidate will have previous professional management experience,  previous retail grocery experience and/or a knowledge of natural foods.  40 hours, expempt position, days/evenings/weekends.  We offer health benefits to employees who regularly work at least 30 hours in a week, along with the other great benefits we offer to all of our employees.  Please come into the store to drop off an application and a resume during business hours (7 AM - 10 PM).

 

Contact Name: Leah Betzen
Contact Phone: 785-843-8544
Contact Email: hr@themerc.coop
Posted on January 4, 2012




Wellness Wednesday is the First Wednesday of Every Month

 

Check Out Our February Deals

Today's Deli Menu

Stop by The Merc's Deli counter for made-to-order sandwiches (hot and cold),salads, soups and fresh smoothies, coffee or espresso drinks.

Hot Bar

M-F
11a-2p
4-8p
Sat 11a-8p
Sun Bunch 9a-1p
Lunch/Dinner 1-7p

Today

02/22

  • Turkey Parmesan
  • Pasta Limonata
  • Sage & Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
  • Goat Cheese Polenta
  • Sauteed Vegetables with White Wine

Tomorrow

02/23

  • Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry
  • Vegetable Fried Rice
  • Scallion Rangoon
  • Jasmine Rice
  • Steamed Broccoli

Pizza

M-Sat
11a-8p
Sunday
11a-7p

Today

02/22

  • Bacon, Tomato & Caramelized Onion
  • Provolone, Mozzarella & Parmesan

Seasonal Pizza

Our pizzas are created daily on our house made crust with only the freshest ingredients. Every morning our skilled cooks carefully choose two types of pizza to prepare. Check back daily to find out what's hot and ready today.

Soup

M-Sat
11a-8p
Sunday
11a-7p

Today

02/22

  • Sweet Potato & White Bean
  • Beef & Black Bean Chili
  • Potato Cheddar

Seasonal Soup

Look for these soups this season

  • Smoky Butternut Squash & Quinoa
  • Potato & Cheddar
  • White Bean & Bacon

Everyday Deli

Made to order Sandwiches

Stop by and we will make you a sandwich made to order using our finest meats and cheeses that we also sell for you to take and make at home. Our choose one of our classic Merc Specialty Sandwiches.

Salad Bar

Our salad bar is fresh daily with all of the fixings you'll want. We even make our own salad dressings in house.

Grab & Go

If you are on the go or just want something easy for dinner tonight. Grab a favorite today!

Deli Features

Wild Rice & Tofu with Miso Vinaigrette

Take your tongue for a walk on the wild side with this zippy salad featuring local Central Soy tofu & house-made miso vinaigrette. Bright citrus notes set off an umami tsunami whose earthy tones you can ride all the way to a healthy filling lunch. In the evening, try pairing it with some ruby trout from our seafood counter for a meal in minutes. This is one salad you can enjoy around the clock!

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Happy Heart Spritzer

Treat your heart and your sweet tooth with this masterful mash-up of flavors. Good-for-you tart cherry juice intertwines with luscious pomegranate and organic chocolate syrups, and then the combination is brought to bubbling life with La Croix sparkling water. Whether the weather is playing at winter or spring, this'll put a pep in your step and make your taste buds sing!

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Chocoholic Cheesecake

Join us in welcoming an old favorite with a brand new twist: Our beloved chocolate cheesecake is back, and it brought along a brand new crust. That's right, our bakers are stepping up their chocolate game with house-made chocolate graham crackers for the crust. This double chocolate combo will have you hooked!

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Co-Op Calendar

Co-op Calendar events are listed below. To view all Merc events, click on the View Full Calendar link.

Feb 23

Thursday

Simple Dinners After Work

7-9 pm

After a busy day we all want to enjoy a simple healthy dinner. Join Hilary in sampling three dinners that take about 30 minutes each to prepare. First up, a simple Fritatta that includes Vibrant Greens served with Polenta. Next we’ll explore the infinite varieties of Quesadillas - filled and grilled, always with lots of vegetables. Finally, a super simple Curry Dinner to make at home thanks to coconut milk and prepared curry paste. Hilary will serve this with exotic and simple Black Rice. All done in 30!

Taught by: Hilary Kass, MPH

Location: The Merc's Community Classroom

Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors

Sorry, this class is full

Feb 25

Saturday

Decadent Hot Cross Buns, Cinnamon Rolls and Fabulous Yeasted Coffee Cake

2-4 pm

Warm your winter kitchen with Melt-in-Your-Mouth Hot Cross Buns; Fabulous Yeasted Coffee Cake; and Spectacular Made-from-Scratch Cinnamon Rolls. What better way to spend a cold Saturday afternoon then in the Merc kitchen with Mari Ruck teaching. Guaranteed to be entertaining, informative, and delicious. The tea and coffee will be brewing.

Taught by: Mari Ruck

Location: The Merc's Community Classroom

Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors

How to Register

Feb 27

Monday

All New Bean Cooking Basics

7-9 pm

We’ll travel the globe with all new recipes featuring the humble bean. We’ll start the evening with a delicious Pureed White Bean Spread served on Crostini. Then on to simple Black Bean Tostadas with trimmings, and an Instant Tamale Pie topped with Sour Cream & Guacamole. We’ll switch cuisines with a savory Greek Pizza starring garbanzo beans, and end with a beautiful Minestrone & Parmesan Biscuit Pot Pie. Each participant will get to take home a complimentary can of Eden beans to get you started cooking.

Taught by: Nancy O'Connor, MS Ed

Location: The Merc's Community Classroom

Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors

How to Register

Feb 28

Tuesday

World Curries and Flatbreads

7-9 pm

Take a little trip around the world with Chef Nancy as she shares her love of curries, accompanied with flatbreads for dipping, scooping and wrapping! First we’ll make Fresh Corn Flatbread with Chiles (similar to a corn tortilla by way of India), perfect for eating with Spicy Chopped Tomato-Cucumber Salad. Then we’ll sample fresh hot Puri (Indian Fried Flatbread) with Sambhar Masala (Aromatic Mixed Vegetable Curry). We’ll finish in Ethiopia with Injera (a soft griddle baked flatbread) and Doro Wot, a traditional Ethiopian chicken curry. And, of course, a surprise sweet.

Taught by: Chef Nancy Stark

Location: The Merc's Community Classroom

Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors

Sorry, this class is full

Feb 29

Wednesday

New Recipes from Alice Waters’ The Art of Simple Food

7-9 pm

The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters is a culinary classic. Join Paige in her second class preparing recipes from this very famous cookbook, starting with Long Cooked Broccoli (served on a croûton). Next you’ll enjoy delicious and seasonal Curly Kale & Potato Soup, followed by Moroccan Sweet Potato Salad and a very Classic Beef Stew. The meal will be complete with a 1-2-3-4 Cake (a simple and perfect butter cake). This is a class focused on simple foods prepared with excellent ingredients using classic techniques. A winner!

Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift

Location: The Merc's Community Classroom

Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors

Sorry, this class is full

Mar 06

Tuesday

More Tasty Thai Food

7-9 pm

Join Chef Nancy as we explore the delicious world of Thai food with a batch of new dishes. We’ll begin with Superfast Steamed Fish with Chile and Lime, with a side of Green Bean, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad. Next up: Homemade Curry Paste as the base for Rustic Red Curry Beef, along with Coconut Rice and Stir-fry Broccoli with Crispy Garlic. And of course, a sweet ending!

Taught by: Chef Nancy Stark

Location: The Merc's Community Classroom

Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors

How to Register

Mar 07

Wednesday

Wonderful Winter Salads

7-9 pm

Join Paige for a new outlook on winter salads as she works her magic with a variety of vinaigrettes, a mixture of warm and cold salads and lots of winter fruits and vegetables. You’ll enjoy a Salad of Shredded Romaine & Radicchio with Apples, Asian Pears & Buttermilk Dressing; Winter Pasta Salad with Cauliflower and Walnut Pesto; Warm Cabbage Salad with Smoked Ham & Goat Cheese; Refreshing Fennel & Carrot Salad; and an Avocado & Citrus Salad with Green Olives. A true cure for the winter blues.

Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift

Location: The Merc's Community Classroom

Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors

How to Register