From a delicious variety of homemade pies to their best-selling cinnamon rolls, the Eat Shop Bakery is the new place to be, and it’s coming to Marion. They welcome anyone who enjoys a good time and a sweet treat. They have two different locations: Cedar Rapids and Solon. Their third and most recent location is opening in Marion on Feb. 1.
The Eat Shop was established in 1936 and was originally named Ann’s Eat Shop after the founder, Mary Ann Drahos. Mary Ann decided to leave her home and job on a farm and start working for Mrs. Coykendall and her husband, Mr. Coykendall. Mary Ann’s sister soon joined her later on. Mr. and Mrs. Coykendall owned a small diner that fit around 16 people. Mrs. Coykendall soon recognized Ann’s hard work and decided to pass the business over to her when her husband passed away. Mary Ann and her sisters took over the company and grew it from there. It quickly became a staple in Cedar Rapids because of its delectable meals and flavorful baked goods. This was an extraordinary accomplishment for a female business owner in that day and age.
Cheryl Maloney is the owner and CEO of The Eat Shop today. Maloney’s business started where many bakeries do, in her own kitchen. What started as a fun baking and pastry-making experience in her home, turned into something she couldn’t be more proud of today. Maloney revealed that her mother was her biggest inspiration. “My mom was the one who taught me a lot about baking,” said Maloney. Her great aunt, Mary Ann Drahos, was a big inspiration as well, as she was the one who inspired the name of her shop. Searching for a new location was no easy task; it was daunting and time-consuming. Maloney stated that it took over a year before landing at their location in Marion. She looked along Coralville and Iowa City, but “everything there is very strip mall feeling,” said Maloney. “I just really like a walkable neighborhood…I felt that feel fits our brand.” They also considered places in Galena, Dubuque, and even Des Moines. But, when looking at Marion, It had been a long journey, but it was worth it in the end because she knew she made the right decision.
The Eat Shop in downtown Marion is perfect if one loves delicious baked goods and beautiful styling and decorations. It is filled with people who love what they do and love to help and serve others. When one walks in, the first thing that grabs their attention is how intricate and well-thought the details of the furnishing are. It makes one appreciate how much thought was put into it, and how much they want to please their buyers. But, what stands out the most, even more than their amazing recipes, is the hard work that was put into the place and the time spent for their customers’ satisfaction.
