Milestones in Nash Finch history

1885: Fred Nash opens a confectionary store in Devil's Lake, N.D.

Late 1880s: Nash and brothers Edgar and Willis start a fruit distribution business.

1904: Nash family acquires a wholesale distributor in Minot, N.D., first of a series of expansions through 1912. Their friend Harold Finch led a warehouse in Grand Forks, N.D.

1919: Nash brothers move company to Minneapolis.

1921: Nash Finch Co. is incorporated.

1922: Begins heavy promotion of such name-brand products as Nash's Toasted Coffee.

1950s: Expands customer base from independent mom-and-pop grocers to corporate-owned chains.

1954: Acquires 17-store supermarket chain.

1964: Opens Warehouse Market, a warehouse-style outlet, in St. Cloud, Minn.

1983: Lists on Nasdaq.

1984: Expands to southeastern United States with acquisition of North Carolina-based M.H. McLean.

2002: Opens Avanza, a Hispanic-themed grocery.

2008: Opens Family Fresh Market, a new line of groceries emphasizing organic foods.

2009: Military unit acquires three new distribution centers.

2012: Adds to grocery holdings with acquisition of 18 No Frills stores and 12 Bag 'N Save stores.

2013: Sold to Spartan Stores Inc. of Grand Rapids, Mich.