Harps Food Stores to acquire Janise's Supermarket

Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores  has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Janise’s Supermarket, an independent grocery retailer in Sunset, Louisiana, the company announced Thursday.

As part of the acquisition, Harps Food Stores will retain the existing staff at Janise's Supermarket. Both parties anticipate completing the transaction by the end of July, the grocery retailer said in a statement. Other details of the transaction were not disclosed. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Janise's Supermarket into the Harps Food Stores family," said Kim Eskew, chairman and CEO of Harps Food Stores, Inc., in a statement. "This 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's legacy and serving the Sunset community with the same level of excellence they have come to expect."

Janise's Supermarket, located at t 147 Oak Tree Park Dr., has operated in Sunset for over 40 years.  

"It is with great honor that we, Janise's Supermarket, announce the acquisition of our business by Harps Food Stores,” said co-owner Michael Dwayne Janise said in a statement. “We firmly believe that this partnership will be immensely beneficial to the residents of Sunset, Louisiana, and the surrounding area. As an ESOP [Employee Stock Ownership Plan] company, we are delighted to offer our employees a remarkable opportunity for career growth in the grocery industry. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our valued customers and dedicated employees for their unwavering support and patronage throughout our 49-year journey.”

Looking to widen its brick-and-mortar growth, the acquisition of Janise's Supermarket is a “significant milestone for Harps Food Stores, Inc., marking its continued growth and expansion into new markets,” Harps said in a statement.

Harps is a 100% employee-owned company, which operates 146 stores in six states including: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kansas. Harps is the largest employee-owned company in the state of Arkansas and was founded by Harvard and Floy Harp in Springdale, Arkansas, in 1930. Since then, the company has grown to employ over 7,200 associates.