10 Box Cost-Plus Food Store in Conway, Arkansas, located at 2235 Harkrider Street, is a discount grocery store operated by Harps Food Stores, Inc. The store utilizes a cost-plus pricing model where items are marked at shelf cost, and a flat 10% fee is added at checkout before state and local taxes.
Store Location, Hours, and Contact Information in Conway, AR
Situated along Harkrider Street (US Highway 65B), 10 Box Cost-Plus Food Store serves central Faulkner County, including students from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), Hendrix College, and Central Baptist College. The store converted from a traditional Harps banner to the 10 Box discount format to offer lower everyday grocery prices to the Conway community.
| Store Detail | Official Information |
|---|---|
| Physical Address | 2235 Harkrider St, Conway, AR 72032 |
| Primary Phone Number | (501) 329-3010 |
| Parent Company | Harps Food Stores, Inc. (Employee-Owned) |
| Standard Operating Hours | Monday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Primary Service Area | Conway, Greenbrier, Vilonia, Mayflower, and Faulkner County |
| Key Nearby Landmarks | Northeast Shopping Center, Hendix College campus vicinity, US-65 corridor |
The location features ample surface parking, accessible parking spaces, and wide aisles designed for high-volume grocery cart maneuvering. Because it sits on a primary vehicular thoroughfare in Conway, it provides convenient access for residents commuting along Highway 65 or traveling from I-40 Exit 127.
How the Cost-Plus 10% Pricing Model Works
Understanding the payment structure at 10 Box is essential for calculating actual register totals. Unlike traditional supermarkets that embed retail markups into the shelf price, 10 Box displays items at wholesale cost—the direct expense required to procure, freight, and stock the product.
When items are scanned at the checkout lane, the point-of-sale (POS) system calculates the subtotal of shelf prices and applies a mandatory 10% markup to cover operational overhead, labor, and facilities expenses. Applicable city, county, and state sales taxes are then applied to the revised subtotal.
Pricing Calculation Standard
Shelf Price Subtotal + 10% Store Surcharge + Applicable Arkansas Sales Tax = Total Amount Due.
Step-by-Step Price Example
- Shelf Price Total: A customer fills a basket with groceries displaying shelf price tags totaling $100.00.
- 10% Surcharge Addition: At register scanning, 10% ($10.00) is added to the subtotal, yielding $110.00.
- Sales Tax Calculation: Local Conway and Arkansas state grocery sales taxes are calculated on the $110.00 subtotal.
- Final Register Outlay: Assuming a combined food tax rate of 1.5% to 6.5% (depending on qualifying food categories and local assessments), the final total ranges between $111.65 and $117.15.
Even after adding the 10% fee, overall savings on a full cart generally range between 10% and 20% compared to standard retail supermarket prices because wholesale procurement baseline costs remain significantly lower.
Store Departments and Product Selection
10 Box Cost-Plus in Conway maintains standard grocery departments while streamlining stock keeping units (SKUs) to maximize volume purchasing power. The store inventory features national brands alongside Harps store brands and bulk packaging options.
Meat and Seafood Department
The meat department is one of the primary drivers of foot traffic to the Conway location. Beef, pork, and poultry are cut and packaged fresh daily on-site.
- Fresh Beef: Custom-cut USDA Choice and Select beef cuts, ground chuck packaged in bulk family packs, and tenderized round steaks.
- Pork & Poultry: Whole pork loins, bone-in pork chops, bulk chicken breasts, drumsticks, and split fryers.
- Smoked & Processed Meats: Regional bacon brands, smoked sausages, lunchmeats, and hams.
Produce Department
The produce department stocks fresh fruits and vegetables sourced through Harps distribution networks. Offerings include staple baking and cooking produce such as potatoes, onions, carrots, and peppers, along with seasonal fresh fruits like berries, melons, citrus, and apples.
Center Store Grocery and Packaged Goods
Center store aisles are organized for efficient bulk display. Products are frequently displayed directly on shipping pallets or in cut-cardboard cases to reduce labor costs and keep prices low.
- Pantry Staples: Flour, sugar, cooking oils, canned vegetables, beans, and pasta.
- Dairy & Frozen Foods: Milk, regional cheeses, butter, frozen dinners, ice cream, and frozen vegetables.
- Beverages & Snacks: Soda multi-packs, bottled waters, juices, chips, and crackers.
Accepted Payment Methods and SNAP/EBT Guidelines
10 Box Conway accepts a wide spectrum of payment options to ensure access for all community shoppers.
Payment Options Accepted
- Cash and standard US currency.
- Debit Cards with PIN authorization.
- Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express).
- SNAP/EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Electronic Benefit Transfer cards issued by Arkansas or out-of-state agencies.
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): State-approved program vouchers and eWIC cards for eligible items.
- Harps Gift Cards: Redeemable across all Harps-owned store banners.
How SNAP/EBT Applies to the 10% Surcharge
Under federal United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service guidelines, cost-plus surcharges at grocery stores are classified as part of the eligible food cost.
When paying with an EBT card at 10 Box Conway:
- Eligible food items are scanned at shelf cost.
- The 10% surcharge is calculated on the eligible food total.
- The SNAP/EBT balance pays for both the food items and the 10% surcharge.
- SNAP transactions remain exempt from state and local sales tax under federal law.
Retail Comparison: 10 Box vs. Conway Grocery Competitors
Conway possesses a competitive retail grocery landscape including national supercenters, regional chains, and discount grocers. The table below illustrates how 10 Box Conway compares across operational features.
| Feature / Metric | 10 Box Cost-Plus (Conway) | Walmart Supercenter (Conway) | Kroger (Conway) | ALDI (Conway) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Wholesale Cost + 10% at register | Everyday Low Price (EDLP) | High-Low / Loyalty Card Discount | Private Label Discount |
| Store Address | 2235 Harkrider St | 3900 Dave Ward Dr / 1155 N Museum Rd | 855 S Salem Rd / 2825 Oak St | 1205 Elsinger Blvd |
| Parent Company | Harps Food Stores, Inc. | Walmart Inc. | The Kroger Co. | ALDI Sud |
| Fresh Meat Counter | Custom cut on-site | Pre-packaged central processing | Full service butcher counter | Pre-packaged direct delivery |
| Brand Focus | Mix of National & Harps Brands | Mix of National & Great Value | Mix of National & Kroger Brands | 90%+ Private Label (ALDI Brands) |
| SNAP / EBT Acceptance | Yes (Surcharge covered by EBT) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Circular / Ad | Yes (Digital & Print) | No traditional weekly ad | Yes (Digital coupon app) | Yes (ALDI Finds flyer) |
Practical Shopping Strategies for Maximum Savings at 10 Box
To secure the highest return on investment when shopping at the Conway 10 Box location, consider implementing these tactical strategies:
1. Focus Purchases on Meat and Heavy Staples
The 10% pricing model yields its highest absolute dollar savings on high-ticket commodity items. Meat, poultry, cheese, and large pantry stockups generally show the largest price gap when compared against standard retail markup pricing in the Faulkner County market.
2. Monitor the 10 Box Weekly Circular
Although 10 Box operates on an everyday cost-plus model, special bulk buys and seasonal promotions are featured in their weekly circular. Shoppers can review current digital ads online through the official Harps / 10 Box portal before heading to the store.
3. Buy Family Packs and Case Quantities
Bulk-packaged meats and full case boxes of canned goods carry lower baseline unit costs. Applying the 10% markup to a lower unit cost yields a lower overall expenditure per ounce or pound compared to purchasing single small-unit packages.
4. Factor the 10% Surcharge into Your Budget
When budgeting while walking the store aisles, calculate your estimated cart total by multiplying the sum of shelf prices by 1.10. This ensures your expected spending matches the register subtotal before sales tax is added.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 10 Box in Conway, AR?
10 Box Cost-Plus Food Store is a discount supermarket banner operated by Harps Food Stores, Inc., located at 2235 Harkrider St, Conway, AR. It offers groceries priced at wholesale cost, adding a flat 10% fee at checkout.
Why does 10 Box add 10% at the cash register?
The 10% added at the register covers operating expenses, employee payroll, building rent, and utilities. By separating operational costs from item pricing, 10 Box can sell products at true wholesale shelf prices.
Does 10 Box Conway accept EBT and SNAP benefits?
Yes, 10 Box Conway accepts SNAP/EBT cards. Under federal regulations, the 10% cost-plus surcharge is eligible for coverage under SNAP, and EBT purchases remain tax-free.
Who owns the 10 Box store in Conway?
10 Box is owned and operated by Harps Food Stores, Inc., an employee-owned regional supermarket chain headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas.
What are the store hours for 10 Box in Conway, Arkansas?
The store operates seven days a week, typically from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. Hours may vary slightly on major national holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Where is 10 Box located in Conway?
10 Box is located at 2235 Harkrider Street, Conway, AR 72032, positioned along Highway 65B near Hendrix College and the Northeast Shopping Center area.
Save on Your Next Grocery Run in Conway
Whether you are stocking up on fresh meat cuts, filling your pantry with staples, or managing a tight household budget, 10 Box Cost-Plus Food Store at 2235 Harkrider St provides a transparent alternative to traditional retail supermarkets in Conway, AR. Visit the store during regular operating hours from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM or check the current 10 Box weekly ad online to plan your next grocery budget.
