The Nash Finch Company began as a small family-owned retail business in rural North Dakota. In 1885, Fred Nash, with his brothers Edgar and Willis as partners, established a small confectionery and tobacco store in Devils Lake, North Dakota. A year later, the brothers expanded their business to include retail fruit and opened another fruit store in Devils Lake and one in Park River. After fire destroyed the original store in 1887, they relocated to Grand Forks. By 1891, Nash Brothers company business was entirely wholesale and included fruits and other grocer lines. Expansion of Nash Brothers during the early years of its existence was financed in part by employee ownership. Nash Brothers was one of the first companies to provide its employees with an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). In addition to its notable business ventures, the Nash Finch Company has a distinguished history of philanthropic activities.
From the description of Records, 1919-1995. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 48566500
