Harp’s Exotic Fish & Pets, commonly known simply as Harp’s Pets, was a longtime locally owned pet store located at 1309 N. Green River Road in Evansville, Indiana, near the intersection of Green River Road and Vogel Road.

Founded in the early 1970s, Harp’s became an Evansville institution and operated for nearly 44 years before closing in March 2017.

An Evansville Pet Store

Harp’s was founded by the Harp family and was associated with Evansville businessman William Earl “Earl” Harp Jr., an entrepreneur whose other local ventures included Harp’s Fish Market, Amanda Fenwick’s, 13th Hour and Delta Cream.

Unlike a typical pet-supply store, Harp’s became known for the wide variety of animals customers could see and purchase.

Over the years, the store carried puppies, kittens, tropical fish, birds, reptiles, snakes, ferrets and other exotic pets, along with aquariums, food and pet supplies.

For generations of Evansville children, visiting Harp’s could feel almost like visiting a small animal attraction. Even families who weren’t planning to buy a pet sometimes stopped in simply to look at the animals.

A Local Institution

Harp’s distinctive selection made the store particularly memorable during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

The business also became known through its local advertising. A 1993 Harp’s Pets television commercial and jingle has survived online and has been featured in collections of memorable vintage Evansville commercials.

Long after the store closed, Evansville residents continued to mention Harp’s among the local businesses they remembered from childhood.

Closing

After nearly 44 years in business, Harp’s Pets permanently closed in March 2017.

The owner told local news that she was ready to begin the next chapter of her life and had considered retiring several years earlier. Arrangements were made for the remaining animals to find homes and for employees to move to other jobs.

The former Harp’s building was subsequently slated for another retail use.

Although the store is gone, Harp’s remains particularly well remembered by Evansville residents who grew up visiting the Green River Road store and looking at its unusual collection of animals.

Quick Facts

Name: Harp’s Exotic Fish & Pets
Common name: Harp’s Pets
Address: 1309 N. Green River Road, Evansville, Indiana
Founded: Early 1970s
Founder/Family: Harp family
Known for: Tropical fish, reptiles, birds, puppies, kittens and exotic pets
Years in business: Nearly 44 years
Closed: March 2017
Category: Lost Evansville