Grand Forks, North Dakota-based Hugo’s Family Marketplace has purchased the Palubicki’s Family Market in Fosston, Minnesota.
“We are excited to purchase this store and become members of the Fosston community,” said Kristi Magnuson Nelson, president and CEO of Hugo’s.
“Leah [Palubicki] and her family have built an impressive company rooted in family values, which makes this new addition to our family of supermarkets so special. We are committed to maintaining the great tradition, quality and service that the Palubicki family has built.”
In 1975, Jim and Nina Palubicki moved to Fosston and purchased the grocery store, Palubicki’s Red Owl. They raised their four daughters in the family business. Their daughters and five grandchildren have worked in various capacities throughout the years.
In 2006, their daughter Leah purchased the store and expanded into the fuel business with Palubicki’s Express in 2012. In 2016, Palubicki’s Family Market and Spirits opened doubling the size of the old grocery store and adding a pharmacy, Caribou Coffee and liquor store.
“I am thankful and grateful for all the wonderful staff throughout the years,” Leah Palubicki said. “We are proud of what we have accomplished in Fosston and are excited for Hugo’s and the future of Fosston.”
Magnuson Nelson expects the transition to be seamless for the shoppers and employees of Palubicki’s.
“Hugo’s will retain all of Palubicki’s management team and employees who work at the store. Leah has built a great team. We look forward to working with them,” Nelson said.
Hugo’s Family Marketplace was founded by Hugo and Dorothy Magnuson in 1939. Their son, Curt Magnuson, operated the stores until his passing in 2007. At that time, Nelson, Curt’s daughter, became the president and CEO of the company. Hugo’s is supplied by UNFI.
With the addition of the Fosston store, Hugo’s will operate 12 supermarkets, seven liquor stores, two pubs, four pharmacies and nine Caribou Coffee shops throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.
