SACRAMENTO, CA –Today Assemblymember Anthony Portantino named Perry Bennett, owner of the affable “Perry’s Joint” in Pasadena the 44th Assembly District Small Business of the Year. 

“Perry Bennett has set the standard of what small businesses should look like in California,” said Portantino.  “Anyone who spends any significant time near Lincoln’s Crossing in Pasadena knows how Perry's Joint has made the community more enjoyable.”

 Perry’s joint is a wonderful, jazz-themed coffee house that serves sandwiches, coffee drinks, sweets and high quality ice cream. Jazz plays lovingly on the sound system and its greatest musicians are pictured on the walls. Bennett welcomes customers with his friendly smile to the warm; earth toned eatery and personally sees to it that they have a good experience.

Bennett first opened a location on Fillmore Street in San Francisco in the 90’s. He served Coney Island hot dogs and coffee drinks. People who were tired of the usual California cuisine could always go to Perry’s for a hot dog and a sundae. He served delicious franks and sausages including a Louisiana hot link.  Mr. Bennett knows a lot about hot dogs as his dad had worked a cart on a street corner.

“Perry Bennett is a success not just because his business, but because he gives back to the community through generous charitable contributions and by being an inspiration to young people who want to start their own businesses.”

Mr. Bennett is a frequent and generous contributor to many local non-profit organizations and has helped countless individual in various capacities over the years in the region.  He is perhaps best known for establishing Perry’s College, a program designed to supplement the cost of higher education.  Assemblymember Portantino is a frequent Perry’s customer and enjoys a hot dog with sour kraut every chance he gets.

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino was elected to serve the 44th Assembly District in November of 2006. The district encompasses Altadena, Duarte, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Temple City.  It also includes portions of Arcadia, Monrovia, Mayflower Village and the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods of Glassell Park, Hermon, Highland Park, Mount Washington and Eagle Rock.