Kalmar Brothers Grocery: A Danish Family’s Legacy in Early Granger

Kalmar Brothers Grocery: One of Granger’s First Family Markets

Long before chain supermarkets arrived in the Granger area, a small neighborhood grocery store stood as a vital part of daily life for local families. Known as Kalmar Brothers Grocery, this early store was operated by the Kalmar family, Danish immigrants whose hard work and entrepreneurial spirit left a lasting imprint on the community.

The story begins in Denmark, where Paul Anton Kalmar and Anna Japelt were born, married, and began their life together. In 1906, they courageously immigrated to America in search of new opportunity, bringing with them the values of family, faith, and perseverance. They eventually settled in the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, where they raised their children—including Harold Holgar Kalmar, born December 7, 1904, in Copenhagen.

By the 1930s, the Kalmar family had established a grocery store on Redwood Road, with addresses listed in various sources as either 3300 South or 3500 South. The business operated under different names over the years, most commonly known as Kalmar Brothers Grocery or simply Kalmar Bros. The store served as one of the earliest grocery outposts in the area—providing meat, produce, dry goods, and household essentials to the growing farming and residential community.

Paul and Anna lived nearby at 1480 West 3400 South, close enough to walk to the store each day. It was a true family enterprise, with multiple family members contributing to the operations. The business offered more than just goods—it was a trusted place where neighbors stopped to visit, catch up on local news, and rely on friendly service in the days before credit cards, big-box stores, or paved streets.

Following in his parents’ footsteps, Harold Holgar Kalmar became deeply involved in the family business and also branched into masonry work. He married Lucille Emily Whitehead on June 4, 1930, and they later had their marriage solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 1977. Together, Harold and Lucille raised three children: Paul H., Dale F., and Rosella.

Harold became known not only as a dedicated grocer but also as a skilled mason contractor through his business, Kalmar and Sons, contributing to homes and buildings throughout the region. He was a devoted member of the Granger 12th Ward, active in church service, and proud of his growing family, which eventually included 13 grandchildren.

Harold passed away on October 20, 1985, at the age of 80, and was laid to rest in Valley View Memorial Park. Though the original Kalmar Brothers Grocery no longer stands, its legacy remains. The store was one of the very first in the Granger-Hunter area, operated by immigrants who helped lay the foundations of what would become West Valley City.

Through both his store and his building work, Harold Holgar Kalmar—and his parents, Paul and Anna—served the community with integrity, reliability, and quiet leadership. Their story is a reminder of the early families whose small businesses played a big role in shaping local history.

We have several advertisements from the late 1930's through the mid 1940's for Kalmar Brothers.

Paul's wife passed away