About

Happy Harry’s has been an integral part of the North Dakota landscape and lifestyle for more than 80 years. It all began in 1944 when “Happy” Harry Gershman opened the Central Package Store in downtown Grand Forks. Today, his son Hal Gershman carried on the vision. Hal, who took over in 1976, expanded Happy Harry’s to five conveniently located stores, two in Grand Forks and three in Fargo.

In 2015, the Gershman family sold the business to its employees. Happy Harry’s became a 100% employee-owned business. 

Known for their signature red barns, with an average of 16,000 square feet, the stores are designed with shopping convenience in mind.  Wide aisles, well-organized shelves, and easy-to-read signage make for comfortable browsing and buying at Happy Harry’s.  The stores pay homage to North Dakota’s great architectural heritage with exteriors that resemble barns and grain elevators. 

Happy Harry’s has received numerous national honors for retail excellence, including membership in the prestigious Wine & Spirits Guild of America, an organization of the nation’s finest beer, wine and spirits retailers. 

      Twice named “One of America’s Ten Best” by Beverage Dynamics Magazine

      “Market Watch Leader Award” by Market Watch Magazine

      “Best Advertising Award” by Market Watch Magazine

      “Best Liquor Store” by the readers of the Fargo Forum

      “Best Liquor Store” by the readers of the Grand Forks Herald

      “Best Liquor Store” by the readers of the High Plains Reader

      A+ Rating and Accredited Member of the North Dakota/Minnesota Better Business Bureau