Baking business 'going public'

by Gene O. Morris

Business Correspondent

11.22.08- A homegrown baking business is going public. The business, known as "Homespun," made its retail district debut in November at 402 East B Street in McCook.

"The store opening is a dream come true for my family and me,' said Sarah Risenhoover, who started the baking business in her home in March of 2007.

In the 20 months since then, Risenhoover has expanded Homespun's line of baked goods to 16 kinds of cookies as well as a wide range of bread, jumbo muffins and desserts, including pies, brownies and New York style cheesecake. Homespun is open Tuesday - Friday from 12:30 -5:30 p.m.

"We hope this grows into a year-around business," the Homespun baker said. "We've had wonderful support from Sue Shaner, the business coach for the McCook Economic Development Corp. She has given us a number of good ideas for planning, budgeting, marketing and advertising."

Among Homespun's specialties are Oatmeal Coconut Crisp cookies, Sour Cream Blueberry muffins and Banana and Banana Nut sweet­breads made with fourth generation family recipes. "The banana bread recipes started with my great-grandmother and were passed down to me by my mother and grandmother," said Risenhoover, who was raised in the Battle Creek, Neb. area. She and her husband, Chet, and their two children moved to McCook in 2006 from Nevada. Chet is the shipping supervisor at the Valmont Industries' plant in McCook.

Homespun's 402 East B Street location is for the retail display and sale of Risenhoover's baked goods. She bakes the cookies, muffins and other products at the Knights of Columbus kitchen at 308 East Ninth Street. "We are grateful to the Knights for letting Sarah use their kitchen," Shaner said. "The Knights have a large convection oven in the hall, which is excellent for production of Homespun's baked goods."

According to the McCook Economic Development business coach, this kind of cooperation is key for projects in small and mid-sized towns. "The Homespun Knights connection is an excellent example of the kind of partner­ships we need for business success in Nebraska communities," Shaner declared.

The Homespun retail location is owned by Doak Construction. The store was the site of Frank's Market for 17 years. The fresh produce business was operated by Frank Bower, who passed away earlier in November. Negotiations for Homespun to occupy the location began before Frank's death, and were continued by Frank's wife, Andrea, following his passing. "We miss Frank," said Sid and Sue Doak of Doak Construction. "He was not only a wonderful tenant. He was a good friend as well."

For additional information about Homespun or the McCook Economic Development Corp., readers may call Risenhoover at 737­7317 or Shaner at 340-2698. Their e-mail addresses are sue@mccookne.org and sarahandchet@msn.com

Shaner's participation in the project is funded in part by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The grant is administered by the Nebraska Rural Development Commission