U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who chairs the Senate Small Business Committee, has named Sunset Scoops of Shelby County as her Small Business of the Week. This recognition is part of Ernst’s ongoing effort during the 119th Congress to highlight small businesses across each of Iowa’s 99 counties.
“Sunset Scoops is a sweetspot for folks, offering banana splits, sundaes, root beer floats, and their best-selling ice cream nachos,” said Chair Ernst. “Open past sunset, this family-run small business is adding flavor to downtown Harlan scoop by scoop, giving families and community members a place to enjoy a sweet treat together.”
The business was established in April 2025 by Tina and Jeremy Schechinger. Tina Schechinger, who works as a physician during the day and manages the shop in the evenings, started Sunset Scoops to realize her long-standing goal of owning an ice cream shop. The establishment serves as a gathering place for local residents after work or movies and hosts events such as birthday parties. It also provides curbside pickup services.
Senator Ernst leads the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and participates in several other committees including Armed Services; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs according to her official website. Her office offers constituent services throughout Iowa such as casework assistance and facilitating interactions with federal agencies (source). She was elected in 2014 as the first woman from Iowa to serve in the U.S. Senate and is also recognized as the first female combat veteran in that body (source).
Ernst plans to continue recognizing outstanding small businesses across Iowa through her weekly award program.
