Great Harvest Bread Company still looking to open second location despite uncertain economy

For small businesses working to stay open, expanding might not be an option right now. But Great Harvest Bread Company in Cedar Rapids are still working to open a second location without sinking their current one in the process.

Great Harvest Bread been slicing with a purpose for seven years.

“The fact that we made it through December and made payroll and no overdrafts, you know, we did really well. So that’s fantastic.” said Laurel Williams, Owner of Great Harvest Bread Company.

Federal PPP loans, along with their sales since the spring have kept Great Harvest Bread Company’s ovens on during the pandemic, but the search of financing has led to only crumbs.

For example, Nagel said lending money to businesses with fewer customers right now-such as a newer hotel-presents more risk.

“Unless it was a great bargain you probably wouldn’t want to do that right now, and I think a bank would look at you and say that’s not the best thing to be considering,” Nagel said.

For now, Great Harvest Bread looks to keep the second space until financing does become available, but Williams said she is nervous about whatever is ahead.