Zac Hamlin, an employee of The Merc Co-op in Lawrence, tells customers on Thursday, June 28, 2018, that the store is temporarily closed. State health inspectors shut down the business Thursday afternoon after roaches were discovered in the prepared-foods section.

Less than 24 hours after it was shut down by the state, The Merc Co-op announced Friday morning that it was cleared to reopen after addressing a roach problem in the prepared-foods area of the store.

“We are pleased to announce that we passed the state’s health inspection. Zero pests were found,” the grocery store said in a statement.

The roaches, discovered around 2 p.m. Thursday in the deli and bakery area of the store, 901 Iowa St., led to the immediate closure of the store. The general manager of the store, Rita York Hennecke, said that the store would reopen at 7 a.m. Friday but that the deli and bakery would remain closed until a further inspection was passed. That apparently happened Friday morning.

In its statement Friday, the store said: “Our Service Case, Fresh To Go Case and Sandwiches are available now. Salad Bar will be available shortly. Hot Bar and Soups are anticipated to be around 12:30 p.m. Fresh baked goods are anticipated around 11:30 a.m.”

The store thanked it customers and the community for their patience: “Please know that we are working now to improve this co-op to ensure that nothing like this will happen again. We look forward to regaining your trust.”