Company History

Melvin R. Harding was the founder of Harding’s Friendly Markets.

Mr. Harding started his grocery career in 1925 with a national chain and in 1944 he opened the first Harding’s Friendly Market in Parchment, Michigan.

The first Harding’s Friendly Market though modest in size by today’s standards (it was approximately 7,500 square feet) proved to be the beginning of our group now serving Southwest Michigan.

In 1974, his son Tom acquired his first store in Richland, and soon after added the Harding’s in Galesburg.  In 1979, Tom brought Harding’s back to Milwood in the Cork Lane Shopping Center, and in 1985 opened the beautiful Harding’s at Woodbridge.  Then in 1991 Tom returned Harding’s to the Southland Mall area, and in 1996 moved two blocks south and renovated 6330 S. Westnedge to become Harding’s Marketplace.

In 1995, Tom brought in his son Tim to help with the chores and continue to the legacy of Harding’s in the Kalamazoo area.  Today, Tom’s 5 stores are part of the group of 28 Harding’s stores in Michigan and Indiana.

The company is proud of its birth as an independent store and proud to continue that tradition in the face of superstores and chain-store operators.

In 2002 the wonderful store in Richland replaced the old store that was bursting at the seams and, happily, has served as a great centerpiece for the village.

And currently renovation is taking place at the Marketplace store to make the shopping experience even more enjoyable.  This work should be finished by spring.

We are proud to serve the great communities in the Kalamazoo area and truly hope that we can make your food shopping experience everything it should be!