This was the first year the Bar & Grill was nominated; they were a unanimous selection in their category over three other nominations.
The local bar and grill serves great food and beverages in a clean atmosphere where taking children or grandparents is no problem. The business is very committed not only to Geneva but Freeborn County and our area as a whole.
Jack and Barb host pool, darts and beanbag leagues and tournaments. They also sponsor many motorcycle runs, including the Jacob Sikel, Matt Felt, and Kipp runs, as well as the Alzheimer’s run, the Albert Lea Eagles Hospice Walk and Relay for Life.
Barb said they also sponsor many local sports teams including softball, baseball, basketball and hockey, as well as bowling and race car events and a number of personal benefits. Geneva Bar & Grill also donates to the local Methodist Youth, the Ellendale VFW, Hollandale First Responders, Hollandale Harvest Festival, Ellendale Tractor Pull, Ranch Rodeo and YA-2 events, as well as the Big Island Rendezvous.
Geneva Bar & Grill, along with the Maple Island Park Association, hosts a night of bingo each week. Funds raised have been donated to help pay for laptop computers for students in our local school districts as well as other needed items.
Geneva Bar & Grill also hosted a fundraiser featuring The Windsor 5 musical group, following the tornados that hit our area in 2010.
Geneva Bar & Grill also hosts several holiday celebrations throughout the year, including Halloween, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve parties, and provides space for birthday and anniversary parties, as well as showers and wedding receptions. They will also provide food and beverages for off-site wedding receptions and private parties.
Jack and Barb recently started offering breakfast on Saturdays from 9-12 a.m., and it has been well received, especially from local hunters.
This town staple also sponsors many events throughout the year to help support cancer research. There hold two cancer auctions each January, plus a "clean-up" auction later in the spring, a Wild Game Feed the first Saturday of December each year, and the Matt Felt Pool Tournament.
They also donate to the Lyle Cancer Auction, The Susan B. Coleman Breast Cancer fundraising efforts, the American Cancer Society, the MS Society, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.
Also at the Chamber of Commerce membership celebration was Tom Jones who was honored with being named the Volunteer of the Year. Ambassador of the Year honors went to Lori Baley. Mark Jones was awarded a Lifetime Member Award. Worksite Wellness Awards were also presented to recognize employers who have invested in and are offering varying levels of worksite wellness services.
