Community Corner
IGH Man is 'Mr. Pat' for St. Patrick's Day Parade
Joe Bennett, who is president and co-owner of Bennett's Chop and Railhouse, will serve as the "king figure" for Saturday's parade in downtown St. Paul.
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown St. Paul will have an Inver Grove Heights feel.
Inver Grove Heights resident Joe Bennett, president and co-owner of Bennett’s Chop and Railhouse in St. Paul, has been selected to serve in the role of Mr. Pat.
According to the St. Patrick’s Association website, Mr. Pat is the “king figure” of the parade. “Mr. Pat embodies the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day,” says the website.
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The St. Patrick’s Association is host of the parade, which is in its 46th year.
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Here is Bennet’s biography from the St. Patrick’s Assocation website:
An Eveleth, Minn. native, Mr. Bennett attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and majored in business and marketing. In 1981, Mr. Bennett began his hospitality career with Grandma’s Restaurant Co. as a bartender in Duluth. Mr. Bennett worked for Grandma’s for 20 years, with his last position in the company as vice president of operations.
During Mr. Bennett’s career working for Grandma’s, he was an active member of the Duluth Chamber of Commerce, serving as a board member. Joe was also on the board of the Minnesota Restaurant Association and became that organization’s president in 2006. Mr. Bennett also served as a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard as a non-commissioned officer for 10 years.
Mr. Bennett moved to St. Paul in 2001 to accept a position as director of restaurants for Morrissey Hospitality overseeing The St.Paul Grill, Pazzaluna and Tria in North Oaks.
In June 2006, Mr. Bennett and his wife, Meghan, agreed to purchase Mitch’s Supper Club. In November 2006, they changed the name to Bennett’s Chop and Railhouse and have been a part of the West Seventh business community ever since. “We are very proud of our restaurant and continue to strive to be the best neighborhood restaurant in St. Paul.”
Mr. Bennett is married to Meghan and currently resides in Inver Grove Heights. Joe and Meghan have six kids: Tiffany, Lindsay, Blake, Emma, Maxwell and Cecelia. Mr. Bennett is also a proud member of the Vulcan community, serving as Grand Duke Fertilious in 2010.
For information about Saturday’s parade, click here.
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