The Bakery on Broadway in Audubon has been named U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s Small Business of the Week, recognized for the home-baked goods and efforts to strengthen the community. The local bakery owner, Kate Hargens, wanted to create a space for residents to gather and revitalize downtown Audubon while serving coffee, pastries and creating custom cakes for customers to enjoy. I n 2020, Hargens opened the doors to the Bakery on Broadway after looking to expand her career from a food scientist and licensed at-home baker to business owner. Ernst says, “The Bakery on Broadway is well-known for serving delicious baked goods and custom cakes as well as bringing a taste of the West Coast to Audubon. I want to congratulate Kate Hargens and the entire team for their work to revitalize downtown and provide an important community gathering space in southwest Iowa.” Many events are held at the bakery each year, including the weekly “What’s Happening in Audubon” forum in the fall and spring, where residents can gather to drink coffee and hear from local organizations and city officials on what is happening in the community. Besides running a business, Hargens also served as president of the Children’s Nest Childcare Center and on the fundraising committee for the Audubon Rec Center. In 2016, the Audubon Chamber of Commerce awarded Hargen the Citizen of the Year award for her continuous efforts and dedication to the Audubon community. This acknowledgment to Bakery on Broadway is in Ernst’s plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties during this Congress.
