Kansas City, Kansas, August 16, 2025
El Mercado Fresco
El Mercado Fresco is a prominent Hispanic grocery store chain primarily serving the Kansas City metropolitan area. Founded to meet the growing demand for authentic Hispanic products, the company has established a reputation for offering quality items at competitive prices. Its original locations have been successful in catering to diverse culinary tastes within the community. Over time, El Mercado Fresco has expanded its footprint by opening new stores and relocating existing ones to better serve underserved areas, including their newest and largest store at 7549 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The chain emphasizes providing a wide variety of well-known Hispanic brands and a comprehensive shopping experience tailored to local community needs.
News Summary
El Mercado Fresco has opened its largest location at 7549 State Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas. The new store features a bakery, made-to-order food counter, and a butcher section to cater to the community’s culinary needs, addressing a scarcity of Hispanic grocery options in the area. Owner Eddie Musallet aims to provide lower prices and authentic products, attracting customers from surrounding areas. This expansion marks a significant step for the chain known for its variety of Hispanic brands.
Kansas City, Kansas Welcomes New El Mercado Fresco Store
El Mercado Fresco, a prominent Hispanic grocery store chain in the Kansas City area, has officially opened its newest location at 7549 State Ave., marking the ninth store in the metro area. This latest branch is notable for being the largest in the chain, with a sprawling 35,000 square feet of retail space.
The size of the new El Mercado Fresco is significantly larger than its other locations, which typically range between 10,000 to 15,000 square feet. The store boasts a variety of features designed to enhance the shopping experience, including a bakery, a made-to-order food counter, and a butcher section, catering to the diverse culinary needs of the community.
The new store has set up shop in the space formerly occupied by Big Lots, a move that aims to bolster grocery options in an area of Kansas City that has a scarcity of Hispanic grocery stores. Owner Eddie Musallet indicated that this new location is well-positioned to attract customers from Kansas City, Kansas (KCK), Bonner Springs, and Leavenworth. The need for lower prices and a wider selection of Hispanic food products was a significant factor in the decision to open this store.
El Mercado Fresco prides itself on offering a variety of well-known Hispanic brands such as Bimbo, Klass, Marinela, Jumex, and Goya, making it a staple for the community’s residents who seek authentic products. Other locations in the metro area include a store at 2102 Metropolitan Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas, and a newly opened outlet at 6599 N. Oak Trafficway in Gladstone. Additionally, Musallet expanded his business footprint last year by launching World Fresh Market, a global grocery store situated in Overland Park at 10303 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park’s World Fresh Market has also transitioned into a space previously occupied by a Walmart Neighborhood Market, indicating a trend of established grocery chains giving way to more specialized markets that aim to serve specific community needs.
Store Features and Community Impact
The new El Mercado Fresco in Kansas City not only offers a broad product range but also seeks to fill a crucial gap in the market for Hispanic grocery stores on the western side of the city. This enhancement of grocery options is likely to have a positive ripple effect on the local economy, providing jobs and meeting the shopping preferences of the local population.
As the largest location to date, the store is expected to set the standard for future expansions and developments in the El Mercado Fresco chain. The focus remains on making quality foods accessible and affordable to the community they serve.
Background on El Mercado Fresco
Founded to meet the growing demand for Hispanic grocery items, El Mercado Fresco has built a reputation for quality products and competitive pricing. The chain’s original locations have proven successful in catering to the diverse culinary tastes and preferences in the region. By relocating and expanding, El Mercado Fresco continues to adapt to the needs of its customers while maintaining its commitment to quality and community service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the new El Mercado Fresco located?
The new El Mercado Fresco is located at 7549 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
What is the size of the new store?
The new El Mercado Fresco store is 35,000 square feet, making it the largest location in the chain.
What types of products does El Mercado Fresco offer?
The store carries a variety of Hispanic brands including Bimbo, Klass, Marinela, Jumex, and Goya.
Why was this location opened?
The new store addresses the lack of Hispanic grocery options in the western part of Kansas City and aims to provide lower prices and authentic products to the community.
Are there other El Mercado Fresco locations in the area?
Yes, there are other locations, including one at 2102 Metropolitan Ave. in Kansas City and a recently opened store at 6599 N. Oak Trafficway in Gladstone.
Key Features of El Mercado Fresco
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | 7549 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas |
| Store Size | 35,000 square feet |
| Key Offerings | Bakery, made-to-order food counter, butcher section |
| Hispanic Brands | Bimbo, Klass, Marinela, Jumex, Goya |
| Community Reach | Attracts customers from KCK, Bonner Springs, Leavenworth |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City Star: New El Mercado Fresco Store
- Google Search: El Mercado Fresco Kansas City
- The Packer: World Fresh Market’s Diverse Offerings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hispanic Grocery Stores
- Progressive Grocer: Indie Grocery Concept
- Google News: World Fresh Market
- Abasto: World Fresh Market Opens
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hispanic Food Products
- Johnson County Post: World Fresh Market
- Google Scholar: Kansas City Grocery Stores
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
