Up To Date

Kansas City, Kansas, Finally Gets A Downtown Grocery Store

By Steve Kraske,

Published September 24, 2020 at 3:07 PM CDT

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Cynthia Taylor, a stockholder in Merc Co-op, visits the grocery story Friday (Sept. 18). She said she's already a huge fan of the store for its convenience and visits every week to pick up a little something. "I think it's a great idea and great location," she said. — Cynthia Taylor, a stockholder in Merc Co-op, visits the grocery story Friday. She said she's already a huge fan of the store for its convenience, and she visits every week. "I think it's a great idea and great location," she said.

A local grocery store chain with a focus on reducing food insecurity opens a new location in a former food desert.

Popular Lawrence grocer The Merc Co-op recently opened its second location, this one in Kansas City, Kansas. The company adapted it's newest location to serve the local community, and offers employees a living wage and benefits.

Rita York Hennecke, general manager of The Merc Co-op

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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