U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who serves as Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, has named the Mescher family’s retail clothing businesses in Plymouth County as her Small Business of the Week. This recognition is part of her ongoing initiative to highlight a small business from each of Iowa’s 99 counties during the 119th Congress.
“It’s clear the Meschers and their businesses are woven into the fabric of the Plymouth County community,” said Chair Ernst. “From providing the perfect place to shop ‘til you drop at Sugar N Spice and expanding through Lily Zita to suiting folks up for success at Mescher’s Clothing and steadfastly supporting events in downtown Le Mars, there is no shortage of material that makes the Meschers qualified to receive my Small Business of the Week award.”
The Mescher family began their group of clothing shops in 2013 when Jill Mescher opened Sugar N Spice, a children’s boutique located in downtown Le Mars. As her customer base matured, she expanded with Lily Zita, a teen boutique launched in 2021. In 2024, Jill and her husband Chad introduced Mescher’s Clothing, adding menswear and dry cleaning services. The family also participates actively in community activities such as serving on the local chamber of commerce and joining collaborative events with other downtown businesses.
Senator Ernst continues this weekly recognition as part of her work leading the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Her office provides constituent services across Iowa, including casework assistance and responses to public inquiries according to information available on her official website. Ernst also serves on several other committees such as Armed Services; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (source). She was elected in 2014 as Iowa’s first female U.S. senator and is recognized as the first female combat veteran to serve in that role (source).
The recognition program will continue throughout this session of Congress.
