Harps acquires Louisiana supermarket

Springdale-based Harps Foods Stores said it will acquire Janise’s Supermarket in Sunset, La., for an undisclosed amount. The store has been operating in south central Louisiana for 49 years.

“We are thrilled to welcome Janise’s Supermarket into the Harp’s Food Stores family. The acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategic growth plans and allows us to expand our footprint in Louisiana. We are committed to honoring Janise’s Supermarket legacy and service the Sunset community with the same level of excellence they have come to expect,” Kim Eskew, chairman and CEO of Harps Foods Stores, said in a statement.

Eskew said Harps will retain the store’s existing store staff to ensure a smooth transition for employees and customers. He expects the transaction will close by the end of July. This deal comes on the heels of a seven-store acquisition Harps completed late last year for seven other Louisiana locations.

Michael Janise, co-owner of Janise’s Supermarket, said the acquisition will be beneficial to the residents of Sunset and the surrounding area.

“As an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company, we are delighted to offer employees a remarkable opportunity for career growth in the grocery industry,” Janise said.

Harp’s operates 146 stores in six states, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana and Kansas. Harps is the largest employee-owned company in Arkansas and was founded by Harvard and Floy Harp in Springdale in 1930. Since then, the company has grown to employ more than 7,200 employees.