About Us 

Jules Bakery, Inc. recognized internationally for strength in Leadership

Modern Baking Magazine, an international industry journal, recently recognized Jules Bakery, Inc. for its leadership in management. According to Juli Hardin, CEO, this award is icing on the cake. "Our team has taken the Cedar Rapids area by storm over the past five years by introducing fine tasting desserts and cakes to our community. We have taken the lead in meeting the desires of our customers, in creating gourmet desserts for people who know what good taste is and what tastes good."  

Jules Bakery team has taken risks and put our company out there with eclectic desserts that many people think are only available in the big city! Our leadership in using only the finest ingredients has shown that sophistication is not about location. It's about knowing your business and creating only the best. The industry leadership award credited Jules Bakery for its teamwork structure and cross training. "Each person on our team has equal responsibility and empowerment to help clients meet their dessert and celebration needs," said Hardin. "We either do it together or we don't do it." 

In addition to being grateful, Hardin said she was actually surprised to receive the award this early in the bakery's career. "When we see bakeries in business for four generations, five years is infancy! To be acknowledged this early in our career speaks volumes for our accomplishments and vision. What an amazing beginning we have had and this award is truly the icing on the cake."

Jules Bakery, Inc. Nominated For Entreprenuer of the Year

Juli Hardin takes great pleasure and pride in announcing that the business is 100% smoke free. "Not only is our facility smoke-free but so is our staff," said Hardin. "The healthy environment is good for our team and for our customers." As a result of the new focus on being healthy, several team members were awarded with bicycles and the Ba

kery Babes have taken to the trails! 2010 marked our first team rides, including the Labor Day Mayor's Ride in downtown Cedar Rapids. Next on the list will be half marathons for several team members. Hardin said she'll stick to the bicycle!

Juli Hardin Appointed to Recreation Commission

Mayor Ron Corbett announced recently that Juli Hardin of Cedar Rapids has been appointed to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission for the City of Cedar Rapids. Hardin will bring her extensive community experience and public affairs interests to the appointment. "With the flood of 2008 directing much of our current resources, the Parks and Recreation Commission is in a unique position to add to flood management through greenspace and well-planned river recreation," said Hardin. In addition, Hardin's interest in continuing trail and parks development means she will encourage her team to be ambassadors while riding or using the City's trail system. 

Our History

There really is a Jules, which is a nickname for Juli, our owner. She has been creating and designing cakes and recipes for over 30 years and now offers her cake creations to the wonderful people of Cedar Rapids and Marion. On December 18, 2001, she opened Jules Bakery to fill a need in the community for a place to buy great tasting cakes, cookies, desserts and cheesecakes. Word spread quickly through the community that the team at Jules Bakery creates delicious cakes, beautifully decorated with outrageously awesome frosting. Over the past six years we have made hundreds of new friends who now include Jules Bakery in their birthday and special occasion traditions.

Juli grew up in the Cedar Rapids area, graduated from Washington High School in 1974, and earned a business degree in public relations from Mt Mercy College. As a young adult, she moved away – twice – and experienced life on both the east and west coasts. In 1988 she and her family lived in the United Kingdom where she gained a new appreciation for European desserts. The results can be found in our profiteroles (cream puffs) and choux pastry desserts such as Coffee Renoir.

Before opening the bakery, Juli was with the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce as their vice president of communications. “I always knew that someday I would have my own business and I wanted it to be a bakery,” explained Jules. “I spent several years dreaming and two years diligently researching our business model and writing the business plan.” Her experience with the Chamber instilled in her a belief in the vibrancy of the greater Cedar Rapids region, in its economic well being and its business climate.

Our Team

Delicious cakes and desserts are the result of a fantastic team.  We share the same goal -- to serve our customers only the best and the highest quality baked products made with only the best ingredients. Our attention to customers and quality shows in the amount of comments we receive. Because of our strong mission to offer only the highest quality goodies, rarely do customers have complaints. Instead they tell us, “Oh my goodness! I had your cake last week and it was awesome.” We really do encourage customers to tell us what was wrong since this is how we learn and adjust, but we don't get very many unsatisfied clients.

Jules - How many people can say they love their jobs? Jules can and her passion shows in every inch of the bakery. Each new customer (especially the bride and groom) becomes extended family. While is doesn't get into the kitchen to bake as often as she used to, she still oversees every aspect of the bakery management and the design of wedding cakes. 

Mandy - Mandy has grown with the bakery since its opening and is our lead baker as well as our manager.  It's the sweetest voice you hear when Mandy takes your call. But don't be mislead, she is an incredible baker, up at the crack of dawn, up to her elbows in flour making the cookies and brownies that you crave. The voice comes from originally being in the telemarketing industry -- quite a change to our kitchen. She is now baker of the best pastries in our area! Stop in the bakery sometime and listen very closely -- chances are you will be able to hear her singing to us. Her voice is as magic as her baking. It's been fun watching her grow and develop her talents as our lead baker and our manager -- a position she holds along with her wife Tazia. 

Tazia - has been with us for several years, starting as a retail associate and is now our manager. She is an important part of our talented design staff, designing and decorating. She has a talent for sculpting and contouring cakes to create our whimsical designs as well as wedding cakes.  Her mind never slows which keeps us on our toes and her designs fresh. Last year she married the love of her life... Mandy! 

Julie C is our lead designer, with her new and innovative designs perfect for any special occasion. While it can be confusing having two Julies -- both of whom decorate -- she is the one on the day-to-day decorating table, creating your masterpiece birthday cake. this year, Julie has added new elements to her designs by incorporating new and popular techniques that include fondant and sculpting work.

Lisa - Originally a member of our sales team, Lisa is moving up and is now a student at the Kirkwood Culinary School. We are fortunate to have her and her blossoming skills. Her newest task is learning the art of baking, in particular, bread. On weekends she is helping with the decorating and wedding setups. It is always fun to watch a young baker learn and take pride in her new skills. 

Abby - Raised in Texas, Abby now calls Cedar Rapids home. We are grateful to have her because her background in fine arts means she has fast become an excellent cake designer. She will greet you each day with a smile and will be ready to make suggestions for your special occasion. She brings a strong background in art and printmaking (University of Iowa grad) to her cake design perspective. Well, what really is the difference: paper... frosting. 

Keara is still with us while she works on her college courses. Natalie has moved on to Iowa State.  Cadry, Megan, Ashlin and Stephanie are the ladies who greet you everyday with smiles and humor! They know that when we stop having fun at our jobs, we stop. and now we have added Ella to our team.

Where Are They Now?

Paige - You might remember Paige from the first two years we were open. She was our manager and is Juli's daughter. In 2003, she joined the Peace Corp and moved to Senegal West Africa. She is now back in Iowa and studying for a masters degree in education at the University of Iowa. Her goal is to teach high school English!  

Annie, Dani & Jenna All three are graduates from Washington High School. all three have graduated from college!! How did that happen so quickly?  Jenna is engaged to be married. Yes! Another wedding!  Dani has joined the Peace Corp. Yes, Another Peace Corp Volunteer! Annie is apply to law school and we hope she chooses Iowa.

Cathy - is pursuing her own dream of small business ownership as the proud new proprietor of .Wittes End Coffee Shop on the Marion Square. 

Megan - We first met Megan as a junior in high school at Xavier. We often miss her down-to-earth approach and love seeing her when she stops by for a chat. We are lucky to have shared in her high school and college years. She pops in to the shop every now and then just to say hi. 

Legends | Baking Tips | Recipes

Jules Bakery 

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3201 Armar Drive, Marion, IA  52302, 319.447.0943    Serve Dessert First! 

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