[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 30, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING THE COTTAGE

 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize The 
Cottage of Denison, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
  In January 2020, mother and daughter duo Cindy and Taylor Borkowski 
purchased the Your Treasure Chest home decor store from longtime owners 
Deb and Jeff Frehse. After purchasing Your Treasure Chest, the 
Borkowski's changed the name to The Cottage and continued selling home 
decor on Broadway in Denison. When Cindy and Taylor started The 
Cottage, they went to different craft shows and vendor fairs to get the 
latest home decor items. While Cindy and Taylor started as the only two 
employees, their store has since grown to employ two additional part-
time employees. On April 1, 2024, The Cottage announced that they would 
be moving down the street to a new location in Denison, with a ribbon 
cutting planned in early May 2024.
  The Cottage maintains an active Facebook account with videos and 
pictures of new items in stock, events at the store, and updates on 
promotions and sales. In addition to selling home decor, Cindy and 
Taylor Borkowski offer a selection of children and baby, seasonal, and 
devotional items. Due to their hard work, The Cottage celebrated its 
fourth business anniversary in 2024.
  The Cottage is well recognized for its contributions to the Crawford 
County economy. In 2022 and 2023, the Bulletin-Review named The Cottage 
as the Best Boutique in Crawford County. In 2022, The Cottage won the 
Innovators Award from the Chamber and Development Council of Crawford 
County. Cindy and Taylor are also involved in the Denison and Crawford 
County communities. In 2023, Taylor was named the Businesswoman of the 
Year by the Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County. Taylor 
also serves as organizer of Hot Summer Nights in Denison, a series of 
summer events that include live music, food trucks, activities for 
kids, and a fundraiser. In 2024, proceeds from the Hot Summer Nights 
fundraiser will go to Washington Park.
  The Cottage's commitment to providing quality home decor in Denison 
is clear. I want to congratulate Cindy and Taylor Borkowski and the 
entire team at The Cottage for their continued dedication to the 
Crawford County community. I look forward to seeing their continued 
growth and success in Iowa.

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