From Dishes to Dreams: Ray Herrington's Journey in the Food and Beverage World
Early Life and Family Ray Herrington, a pivotal figure in St. Cloud's dining and entertainment scene, hails from a large family in west Duluth. As the youngest of six siblings, he had a significant age gap from his closest sibling. His father, a World War II veteran, worked as a carpenter, bartender, and baker, while his mother dedicated herself to raising their six children.
Athletic Prowess Growing up, Ray was a sports enthusiast. He enjoyed fishing, playing football, soccer, and running, but it was hockey that truly captured his heart. The sport was a big deal in Duluth, and Ray played it throughout his high school years at Duluth Denfeld. He also ran track, showcasing his athletic prowess.
Military and Education After high school, Ray was unsure about his next steps. He waited tables at the Radisson in Duluth before deciding to become an F-4 and F-16 mechanic in the military. He spent a year in training, learning the ropes of airplane mechanics. However, Ray's aspirations didn't stop there. He decided to pursue a college education and applied to Minnesota-Duluth. When admission lines were too long, he turned his attention to St. Cloud State University. He started at SCSU in 1987, majoring in Political Science and Geography, all while serving in the National Guard as an airplane mechanic. Balancing college and the National Guard was no easy feat, but Ray persisted, staying with the National Guard for 13 years and spending much of his deployments in Central America. He even enjoyed his time as an airplane mechanic, finding a unique blend of passion and duty.
Restaurant Career When Ray wasn't working as an airplane mechanic, he was in St. Cloud, working at various restaurants. He started as a dishwasher at Black Angus in Waite Park at the age of 21. Over his three years there, he learned different kitchen positions, worked as a server, and even bartended. When Black Angus shut down and reopened as Angus McGee's, Ray continued to work there, eventually becoming a part-time manager. It was at Angus McGee's that he met his wife, who was a server at the time. They tied the knot in 1994. Ray also managed JD Beamer's near SCSU for two years, gaining valuable experience in the restaurant industry.
Entrepreneurial Success Ray's big break came when the ownership group of Angus McGee's bought the old Timber Lodge building on 2nd Street in St. Cloud. Ray presented a plan for an upscale bar and grill with a simple menu and numerous taps. The group loved his idea so much that they made him the third owner and operator of the new business, Boulder Tap House. The concept was a hit, leading to the ownership group now owning 12 Boulder Tap House franchises in the upper Midwest.
But Ray didn't stop at Boulder Tap House. The group was always on the lookout for new opportunities. They came across the idea of a smaller bar/restaurant specializing in craft beer. Thus, 7-West was born, opening in downtown St. Cloud in the former Electric Fetus location in 2016. The group also took over ownership of Pioneer Place on 5th in August 2018, buying the building from Dan Barth. Ray admitted that running a theatre was challenging, so they decided to introduce more music options than plays. In the basement of Pioneer Place, they discovered an unused room that later became Blue Goose Speakeasy.
Personal Life Ray's personal life is just as fulfilling. He and his wife have two adult sons who were once hockey players at Tech High School. His wife works as a teacher in Kimball, showing that Ray's journey is not just about his professional achievements but also about the life he has built with his family.
