Regional Industry & News

Harps Food Stores Chairman and CEO to retire

Kim Eskew worked at the grocer since 1977 and will be replaced by grandson of founders

September 15, 2026

Harps Food Stores, Inc. announced Monday that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kim Eskew will retire effective Jan. 15, 2027, concluding a career spanning nearly five decades. The Harps Board of Directors has selected current President J. Max Van Hoose to succeed Eskew as Chairman and CEO upon his retirement.

Eskew joined Harps on Aug. 15, 1977, as a part-time stocker and cashier while attending the University of Arkansas. What began as a job to help him through college became a lifelong career with the company. After earning his degree in Administrative Management in 1980, Eskew advanced through numerous leadership roles, including Closing Manager, Grocery Manager, 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,” Eskew said. “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 his tenure at Harps, Eskew saw first-hand one of the most significant milestones in Harps history: becoming a 100% employee-owned company in 2001. Since that transition, Harps has experienced considerable growth while maintaining its focus on serving local communities and creating value for its employee-owners.

“Kim’s leadership, vision and commitment to our associates have helped shape Harps into the company it is today,” Van Hoose said. “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.”

Van Hoose is the grandson of Harps founders Harvard and Floy Harp.

Harps operates 177 stores in eight states including Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Harps is the largest employee-owned company in the state of Arkansas. Harps was founded by Harvard and Floy Harp in Springdale, Arkansas, in 1930. Since then, the company has grown to employ over 7,200 associates.