Harps CEO Eskew to retire after nearly 50 years

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Harps Food Stores has named president J. Max Van Hoose to succeed chairman and CEO Kim Eskew, who will retire on Jan. 15 after nearly five decades with the company.

Eskew joined Harps in 1977 as a part-time stocker and cashier while attending the University of Arkansas. After joining the company full-time in 1980, he held a series of leadership roles, including store manager, district manager, director of merchandising and advertising, vice president of marketing, executive vice president, and president. He was named CEO in 2016 and later became chairman and CEO.

“It has been the honor of my life to spend my career at Harps, beginning on the sales floor and ultimately having the privilege of leading this company,” said Eskew. “I am incredibly proud of what our associates have built together, and I am especially grateful to have led a company owned by the very people who make it successful.”

During Eskew’s tenure, Harps significantly expanded its footprint while remaining 100% employee-owned. The company now operates 177 stores in Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee and employs about 7,200 associates.

Harps has nearly doubled its store count over the past decade through acquisitions and new-store openings. Earlier this year, the company acquired 18 Dyer Foods locations, expanding into Kentucky and Tennessee.

Van Hoose is the grandson of Harps' founders, Harvard and Floy Harp, and has worked for the company since 1997, when he joined as vice president of store planning. He oversaw store expansion for 22 years before becoming executive vice president in 2019 and president in 2022.

“Kim’s leadership, vision and commitment to our associates have helped shape Harps into the company it is today,” said Van Hoose. “His influence can be seen throughout every part of our organization. I am honored by the board’s confidence in me and look forward to building upon the strong foundation Kim and so many others have established.”

“J. Max understands the history, values and culture of Harps, as well as the responsibility we have to our associates, customers and communities,” said Eskew. “I have great confidence in him, our leadership team and the future of this company. I know they will continue moving Harps forward, achieving even greater success in the future.”