[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 7, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                   RECOGNIZING THE BAKERY ON BROADWAY

 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 
Bakery on Broadway of Audubon, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the 
Week.
  In 2020, Kate Hargens founded The Bakery on Broadway to revitalize 
downtown Audubon. Kate grew up in California and spent several years 
working as a food scientist before moving to the rural Iowa town. She 
started her career as a baker who made custom cakes in her family home 
before purchasing a local coffee shop. The Bakery on Broadway started 
with Kate and one full-time employee and now employs 15 people. The 
business serves fresh pastries made daily, custom cakes, smoothies, and 
coffees, in addition to featuring a breakfast and lunch menu that 
brings ``West Coast''-inspired foods to Iowa.
  The Bakery on Broadway also serves as an important community space in 
Audubon. It hosts seasonal ``What's Happening in Audubon'' events, 
which is a weekly public forum held on Tuesdays in the late fall and 
early spring. The events bring the community together to discuss a 
broad range of topics important to the area.
  The Bakery on Broadway is involved in the Iowa art community as well. 
They have a retail space in the bakery that sells art from Iowa 
artists. Since early 2023, they have hosted the Art on Broadway event 
that showcases artwork customers can purchase. The bakery also recently 
unveiled a mural on the newly renovated side of their building painted 
by Des Moines artist Jenna Brownlee.
  Kate Hargens is actively involved in the Audubon community. Kate was 
instrumental in founding the nonprofit Children's Nest Childcare Center 
and previously served as the president. She also served on the 
fundraising committee for the Audubon Rec Center and was on the board 
of the Rose Theater. In 2016, Kate won the Citizen of the Year Award 
from the Audubon Chamber of Commerce for her work in the community. The 
Bakery on Broadway was praised by Travel Iowa and the Des Moines 
Register for their cuisine. In May 2023, the business was one featured 
on ABC affiliate KETV on their ``Hit the Road, Jack, Audubon, Iowa'' 
segment. Due to Kate and the team's hard work, The Bakery on Broadway 
celebrated its fourth business anniversary in 2024.
  The Bakery on Broadway's commitment to providing high-quality food, 
coffee, and community events in Audubon is clear. I want to 
congratulate Kate Hargens and the entire team at The Bakery on Broadway 
for their continued dedication to the Audubon community. I look forward 
to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

                          ____________________