Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, The Bakery Unlimited

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 Unlimited of Madison County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“Iowans knead to start their days at The Bakery Unlimited – from doughnuts to pie, the Sparks family has served fresh baked goods for over 40 years,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “This community hub has sparked national recognition, and it was my honor to learn the tricks of the trade directly from Marcia Sparks in 2019 when we made her acclaimed apple fritter.”

In 1984, Jim and Marcia Sparks established The Bakery Unlimited in a historic building on Main Street in Winterset, Iowa. With Marcia’s background as a Food Nutritional Research graduate from Iowa State University and her collection of recipes, the bakery features a wide variety of baked goods. Their signature apple fritters feature Red Delicious apples grown from the Sparks’ family orchard, a tribute to Madison County, the birthplace of the iconic apple. In November 2020, Marcia Sparks passed away, but her legacy continues on. 

In June 2024, USA Today named The Bakery Unlimited as one of the top 10 doughnut shops in the United States. Today, Katie Sparks, Jim and Marcia’s daughter, manages the bakery alongside her dad and a team of eight employees. The business recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in October.

Stay tuned as Ranking Member Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.

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