The Merc

Opening in 2020, The Merc’s owner, Lori Hughes, wasn’t sure what type of reception they would receive. It was during the COVID pandemic and it was hard to predict what type of welcoming they would have. Fortunately for both residents and the community, The Merc quickly become a local favorite, serving coffee, sandwiches, deli counter offerings, and freshly butchered meat. 

“We just are very playful here, and we try to know the names of all of our customers because building a community is, above all, what we are striving to do.” Lori comments, “The younger families, the newer families, very much want to infiltrate into their community. They very much want to support the new businesses that are coming in because they want to build the ties here.” 

Moving to Mead in 2004, Lori and her family have seen Mead grow and change. She notes that her children benefit from the award-winning school system, while the whole community benefits from maintaining ties to their “original agrarian roots.” On starting her business when she did, she remarks, “There is so much potential here. We are really getting in on the ground floor of the growth as folks move further and further from Denver and down from Cheyenne. This is a prime time to get in here and get started.” 

Lori also notes that the location of her business has helped her succeed, “The location is amazing because it's right off I-25. Highway 66 is what takes folks to Estes Park so there's a lot of traffic. There's a lot of commuter traffic as people come in to work for Longmont or Boulder,” continuing, “In the business park, it's a really good community. Folks get to know each other. The local business community here is very supportive of each other.” 

If you’re looking for a good bite, some fun conversation, and a place to hang out with a cup of coffee, The Merc has a table waiting.

The Merc

4340 CO-66
Mead, CO 80504
(970) 535-4066
facebook.com/TheMerc.online/