Kansas City, Kansas Neighborhood to Get Grocery Store Relief

City approves preliminary deal to reopen former Merc grocery store in food desert

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:18am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a neatly arranged display of vibrant fruits and vegetables against a clean, monochromatic background, conveying a sense of quality and premium craftsmanship.The reopening of a former grocery store in a Kansas City, Kansas food desert aims to provide much-needed access to fresh, affordable food for the local community.Kansas City Today

A Kansas City, Kansas neighborhood that has been without a grocery store for three months could soon have one back. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas approved a preliminary agreement with a new operator, Anthony Estrada of Santa Fe Grocers LLC, to reopen the grocery store at 501 Minnesota Ave. under the United Market brand.

Why it matters

The area has been considered a food desert since the closure of the previous grocery store, leaving residents who walk or rely on public transit miles from the nearest grocery option. The reopening of this store is expected to provide much-needed access to food for the local community.

The details

The preliminary agreement includes $572,000 in planned store improvements, with the city contributing $150,000 towards those costs. The space will be rent-free until May 2027, then $5,000 per month after that. The store must be open a minimum of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, accept EBT/SNAP and WIC, and actively recruit and hire Kansas City, Kansas residents. Planned improvements include a full-service meat department, an expanded produce section, a fresh bakery case, and a larger dairy section.

  • The Merc Co+op closed its doors on December 30, leaving the area without a grocery store.
  • The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas approved the preliminary agreement on Thursday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Anthony Estrada

The operator of Santa Fe Grocers LLC, who will operate the new United Market store. Estrada has over 35 years of experience in the Kansas City grocery market, working his way up from pushing carts to store director and later supporting stores like Price Chopper, Hen House, and Sun Fresh.

Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas

The local government that approved the preliminary agreement to reopen the former Merc grocery store in a food desert area.

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What they’re saying

“I saw that there was a need. I know that people rely on that grocery store for their weekly needs.”

— Anthony Estrada, Operator, Santa Fe Grocers LLC

“I think it would be really good for this community. All the people that live here, they have to go pretty far to just get basic things.”

— Elayna Cruz, Former customer

What’s next

The Unified Government and Estrada must still negotiate and sign a formal management agreement before any work can begin. Estrada hopes to open the new United Market store within three months of a signed agreement.

The takeaway

The reopening of this grocery store in a Kansas City, Kansas food desert is a significant step in providing much-needed access to food for the local community. The city's support and the operator's experience in the local market suggest the store has a good chance of succeeding where previous operators have struggled.