Kansas success story: Daughter’s death motivates family to form new food business

Just 16 months after the passing of their daughter Danielle, Phil and Cathy Mercado honor her memory, her work ethic and fighting spirit with their business, Ernestos KC, using recipes that started with Phil’s grandmother.

Thanks to a partnership with Market Wagon (MarketWagon.com), an online farmers market, Ernestos KC has been extremely successful. Sales on Market Wagon’s platform make up 75% of their revenue as they ride a wave fueled by the pandemic—revenue from food delivery grew from $107 billion in 2019 to an estimated $152 billion in 2021.

Phil and Cathy’s daughter Danielle died in December 2020, after 10 years of battling a mysterious disease that countless doctors and specialists were never able to diagnose. “It’s hell to live with that burden,” says Cathy. They became sole caretakers of Danielle’s son Aiden, their grandson.

Ernestos KC formed six months later with the entire family still grieving Danielle’s death. From the beginning, it was a family affair with two of Danielle’s brothers helping out, as well as Aiden, now 15, from time to time.

“Doing it online has definitely opened it up, especially with Market Wagon delivering to everybody in this area and more. It’s incredible,” said Danielle’s sister-in-law Amanda.

The business honors Danielle’s memory who was a fighter all her life. She refused to give up working until she absolutely had to—sometimes even pulling an oxygen tank behind a lawn mower as part of her job as a personal assistant.

The Mercados use recipes dating back generations, all while embracing a modern way of doing business. The original Ernestos restaurant was started by Phil’s father Ernesto almost 40 years ago in Parsons, Kansas, using his mother’s recipes. Phil and Cathy had been integral parts of the restaurant until they moved to Kansas City in 2020, just weeks before the pandemic began, to be closer to family.

While the business honors Danielle’s memory, it also fulfills Ernesto’s original dream of bringing his family’s recipes to the public.

All of the delicious dishes including the famous white cheese dip or spicy enchiladas from Ernestos KC are sold on Market Wagon where customers can connect with more than 45 LOCAL farmers, chefs and artisans. People can shop 1,300+ locally grown products on their computer or smartphone throughout the week and place an order from multiple local vendors with one single checkout. Orders are delivered to each home every Thursday afternoon.