RECOGNIZING GRANT RANCH GRUB & PUB

RECOGNIZING GRANT RANCH GRUB & PUB

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 44 (Tuesday, March 10, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 10, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S956] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING GRANT RANCH GRUB & PUB Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to honor Grant Ranch Grub & Pub of Keokuk County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Originally founded in the late 1960s in Marengo by Duane and Mary Grant, the Grant Ranch is known for remaining true to local traditions and as a community gathering spot. After changing locations over the decades, Grant Ranch was revived in Sigourney in 2003 by their daughter Sherry Fisher. Today, the Grant Ranch legacy lives on through the Grant family's first-born grandchild Danette Meyer, who restored and reopened the establishment as Grant Ranch Grub & Pub on Sigourney Square. With its full-service dining experience, the restaurant quickly became a local favorite, carrying forward a family legacy rooted in Iowa hospitality. Danette Meyer brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience in the hospitality industry after working in nearly every role in the restaurant industry before reopening Grant Ranch Grub & Pub. When she relaunched it during the COVID-19 pandemic while raising five children, Danette demonstrated extraordinary resilience and commitment to her community. With a team of four employees, the business supports local jobs while contributing to the vibrancy of Sigourney and the broader Keokuk County community. Backed by the support of her family and the local community, Danette led an extensive renovation of the property, transforming it into a welcoming space offering full-service dining, catering, and private event rentals. The restaurant hosts themed events throughout each month and offers a popular ``Try It Tuesday,'' showcasing a new sandwich each week. Menu favorites include the haystacks, their signature take on onion rings, the Frisco Melt, and a variety of all-beef hot dogs. Beyond its role as a local gathering place, Grant Ranch Grub & Pub plays an active role in supporting the Sigourney community. Danette regularly gives back by mentoring youth and individuals with disabilities to help prepare them for future employment, as well as providing meals for local schools and community organizations. Her dedication to service and leadership has earned recognition across Iowa, including being named one of the Iowa Restaurant Association's 2025 ``40 Women to Watch'' in the hospitality industry. Grant Ranch was also awarded Best Pub & Bar on Restaurant Guru in 2025 and is a proud member of the Keokuk County Economic Development Group and the Iowa Restaurant Association. Through its emphasis on family tradition and community involvement, Grant Ranch Grub & Pub exemplifies the spirit of small business in Iowa. I am pleased to recognize Danette Meyer, along with the entire team at Grant Grub & Pub, for their dedication to Sigourney and Keokuk County. I look forward to their continued success and wish them the very best in the years ahead. ____________________