Grand Central was founded by Russian immigrant Maurice Warshaw (1898 – January 5, 1979), who opened a produce stand on the corner of 900 South and Main Street in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1928.

[1][2] After finding success selling Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Warshaw expanded his business beyond produce by adding his own meat and grocery departments.

[3] The chain entered Idaho through the acquisition of Bosko Super Stores from Boise-based grocery retailer Albertsons in June 1963.

[2] In March 1984, Portland, Oregon-based retailer Fred Meyer announced the purchase of Grand Central for US$11 per share, a transactional value of nearly US$25 million.

[2] At the time, Grand Central operated 31 stores and employed about 2,900 people in Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.