Janise’s Supermarket in Sunset Being Acquired by Arkansas-Based Harps Food Stores

Janise's Supermarket in Sunset has been a staple in Acadiana for nearly 50 years. But for the first time in its history, the store won't be locally owned (technically speaking).

The company's owners announced late last week that Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Janise's Supermarket.

There is some excellent news as part of this purchase though. As part of the acquisition, Harps Food Stores will retain all existing staff members of Janise's.

According to a statement by Harps Food Stores, the transaction should be completed by the end of July. Other details of the transaction, however, were not disclosed.

Kim Eskew, chairman and CEO of Harps Food Stores, Inc., had this to say about the pending acquisition:

We are thrilled to welcome Janise's Supermarket into the Harps Food Stores family. 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.

As noted, Janise's Supermarkets has been a part of the Sunset community for close to 50 years. Larry and Jean Janise ran the store for 27 years, but it was called Sunset Community Store.

Then, in 2001, the couple retired and it stayed in the family as their children took over. Dori & Dwayne Janise and Lori & Kevin Labbe purchased the store. They changed its name to Janise's Supermarket to pay tribute to their family's commitment and support to the local area.

While we don't know for sure if the family will still be involved with running the business as it moves forward, it is obvious that the employees' best interest was taken into account.

“We firmly believe that this partnership will be immensely beneficial to the residents of Sunset, Louisiana, and the surrounding area," said co-owner Michael Dwayne Janise in a statement. "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.”

Harps is also a 100% employee-owned company. They currently operate 146 stores in six states (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Kansas).

They're 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 over 7,200 associates.