JEWELL — Juniper & Olive Co. has been recognized as a small business of the week by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

“At the heart of Hamilton County, fellow Iowa State alum Cyndi Gryte founded Juniper & Olive Co., a place that celebrates community and family with a name inspired by two beloved rescue dogs and a crowd favorite cocktail,” Ernst said. “Where vintage charm meets eclectic fun, this bistro, bar, and bridal boutique serves as a unique space where families and friends gather to create lasting memories together.”

After graduating from Iowa State, Cyndi Gryte worked in New York and Texas where she gained diverse experiences that would later shape her vision for her own restaurant. In 2020, she returned to her home state of Iowa and transformed a former 1920s speakeasy. With the help of community members such as classmates, former teachers, and family, Gryte was able to capture the historic charm of the building that became known as Juniper & Olive Co., named after the dogs she and her daughter adopted from a local shelter.

Throughout this Congress, Ernst (R-Iowa), a ranking member of the Senate Small Business Committee, plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.