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Emil Alex Hagstrom (September 26, 1885 – June 20, 1964) born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Immigrated to he U.S. in 1907

After saving enough money, he purchased a small creamery in Seattle. Hagstrom built the company for a year and subsequently sold it for a large profit. He then purchased and ran a creamery in Everett Washington, but due to economic trends, the business failed.

He moved to Oakland in 1915, and in 1917. with only $75 he opened a small creamery store Mutual Creamery,  which expanded to include groceries.   

By 1929, he sold the business which had developed into a chain of 335 (300? 340?) stores known as The Mutual Food Stores. In that same year, his chain was merged with MacMarr Stores which later became part of Safeway. 1

In 1932, he launched Hagstrom's Food Stores. Over the next 11 years, the one store grew to 51, with a total of 600 employees, and the successful enterprise eventually merged with present-day Safeway.

In 1940, the Hagstroms moved to Contra Costa County.

Hagstrom died in 1964. He and Esther are buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Links and References

  1. Hagstrom's Sale Splits Market Between 2 Firms Oakland Tribune February 11, 1960
  2. Funeral Services Held For Emil A. Hagstrom Oakland Tribune June 24, 1964
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