Russel T. Lund, Sr. began working for Hove's, a neighborhood grocery store at 2923-25 Hennepin Avenue, in 1922 and that fall became a partial partner in the cheese and cracker department. In 1939, he became a full partner and helped build a new store on Lake Street. The store was one of the first self-service grocery stores in Minneapolis and one of the first to offer off-street parking for customers. Lund gained full ownership in 1964 and changed the name to Lunds. By the 1970s, Lunds had become known as more than a place to buy groceries, gaining a reputation as a social gathering place as well.