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City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: David Katz, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9522 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Convention Grill Named Winner of Edina’s 10th-Annual Heritage
Award
Edina, Minn., May 15, 2012 – The Convention Grill, one of Edina’s oldest eating establishments and a
centerpiece of the historic Morningside Neighborhood, is the recipient of this year’s Heritage Award,
presented by the City’s Heritage Preservation Board.
The award has been given each year since 2003 to a deserving local business, residence or neighborhood for
achievements related to the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and use of Edina’s historic places.
Convention Grill and its current owner, Twin Cities restaurateur John Rimarcik, were strong candidates.
“Dining establishments are notoriously short lived. It’s a story of new locations, new owners, new names and
new menus,” explained Joel R. Stegner, who submitted the Heritage Award nomination on the diner’s behalf.
“The Convention Grill defies this ‘convention’ by giving its patrons a taste of yesterday.”
The Convention Grill has been serving up its signature burgers, fries and malts since the early 1940s. “You
know it’s truly a tradition when you see different generations of the same family come in,” said Manager
Shawn Schmitz, who has been with the Grill team for 25 years.
Schmitz was among those on hand at the Tuesday, May 1 Edina City Council meeting to officially accept the
Heritage Award from Mayor James Hovland. Tony Rimarcik, son of current owner John Rimarcik, and
relatives of previous owner Peter Santrizos were also in attendance.
The City Council’s commendation included a visual tribute and short presentation pointing out the highlights
of the Grill’s 70-plus-year history.
“Tony and I just expected a perfunctory pass of a plaque, but the night was handled with such style and
respect that I think it will become a lasting memory for all who partook,” Rimarcik added.
To learn more about the City’s annual Heritage Award, past recipients or the nomination process for 2013,
visit www.EdinaMN.gov or call Associate Planner Joyce Repya, 952-826-0462.
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