RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: The Bakery on Broadway of Audubon County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. 

“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,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “I want to congratulate Kate Hargens and the entire team at The Bakery on Broadway for their work to revitalize downtown and provide an important community gathering space in southwest Iowa.”

In 2020, Kate Hargens founded The Bakery on Broadway after spending her early career as a food scientist and licensed at-home baker. Kate’s goal was to revitalize downtown Audubon and give the community a place to gather. Since fall 2023, The Bakery on Broadway has hosted “What’s Happening in Audubon” weekly forum events in late fall and early spring. They have also hosted the “Art on Broadway” event that gives Iowans the chance to showcase and sell their art. Kate served as president of the Children’s Nest Childcare Center and on the fundraising committee for the Audubon Rec Center. The Audubon Chamber of Commerce awarded her the 2016 Citizen of the Year for her hard work and dedication to the community.