Lunds & Byerlys history

The chain took the Lunds name in 1964.

Byerly's was founded in 1968 by Don Byerly, who opened the first store in Golden Valley, Minnesota.

The luxury supermarket did $5 million in business in 1969, its first full year of operation.

Russell Lund, Sr., was followed by nephew H. Ted Lund as head of the company beginning in 1973.

His father, Russell Byerly, former chairman of the board of Minnesota-based grocery wholesaler Supervalu Inc., was a partner in the business until his death in 1977.

Five Lunds stores held about four percent of the market and generated $48 million in annual revenues by 1978.

The St Louis Park store, fifth in the chain, was opened on March 16, 1980, on 10 acres of the former Friedheim concrete plant – 3777 Park Center Blvd.

1982 Byerly’s Ridgedale opens

1983 Highland Park opens.

The younger Lund had planned to gain some work experience on Wall Street after graduating with a degree in business in 1985, but with Ted Lund and Frank Gleeson nearing retirement, Tres Lund returned to Minnesota.

Frank Gleeson, a longtime Lunds employee, became the first non-family president of the seven-store chain in 1986, when revenues were approaching the $100 million mark.

1987 Byerly’s Roseville opens.

1988 Byerly’s Burnsville opens.

In mid-1990, Byerly sold controlling interest of the $200 million chain.

Family leadership of Lunds was resumed in 1991 when Gleeson retired and was succeeded by Russell T. (Tres) Lund III.

Founder Russell Lund, Sr., who had remained active in the store well into his 70s, died in 1992.

Gillian Judge, in a March 1994 Twin Cities Business Monthly article, estimated earnings to be about $2.1 million.

In 1995, restaurant service was cut back or eliminated from some stores, and the lineup of third party convenience foods vendors located within the stores was expanded.

In March 1996, the company announced renovation plans for the oldest and smallest of the stores.

In 2006, they launched its online grocery shopping service.

Byerly's stores, which ranged in size from 50,000 to 90,000 square feet (8,400 m), were open 24 hours a day until, February 2008 when the store hours were changed to 6am to 12am.

2012 Downtown Minneapolis Avenue in downtown Minneapolis opens.

2013 Lund Food Holdings acquires Village Market in Prior Lake and renames it Prior Lake.

2014 Lunds & Byerlys Kitchen opens in downtown Wayzata.