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Gather & Graze
August 2025
Chariton Area Chamber/Main Street is proud to feature one of our local contributing businesses in the monthly Small Business Spotlight.
This month, we are featuring Gather & Graze, owned by Lauren Holmes. Lauren turns meats, cheeses, and creative pairings into edible works of art. Gather & Graze has the perfect board for every occasion.
What is your job title and role?
I'm Lauren Holmes, owner and charcuterie artist of Gather & Graze. My home kitchen is a licensed home food processing establishment with the State of Iowa. This means that, like any other licensed facility or restaurant, I follow strict food safety guidelines and am inspected annually by the state food inspector.
How long have you been in business in Chariton/Lucas County?
I started Gather & Graze in January 2024 as a creative outlet that would also provide a little income during the summer months when I'm off from my full-time job in the school district. I wanted to bring something fresh to our small town- something that complemented, rather than competed with, exisiting local businesses. After 15 years of experience in food service, characuterie felt like the perfect fit! It's an art form to me-beautiful versatile, and something everyone can enjoy. Plus, who doesn't love cheese?
Describe your business
Why do you do what you do?
Gather & Graze gives me a space to be creative while allowing me to make extra income from my own kitchen. I love being able to offer something a little "different" to our community!
Was there a specific moment or realization where you made the decision to start your own business?
It was Christmas break of 2024, and I was planning a summer trip for my family. I love my full-time job, but being without a paycheck in the summer can be daunting. The TikTok algorithm kept showing me charcuterie videos, and I thought, 'I could do this!' From there, it's been a journey of trial and error- learning what works, sourcing local ingredients, and being fueled by the incredible support of my community.
I create characuterie boards of all kinds for a wide variety of events. Baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties, holidays, or even just a small board for friends getting together for an evening of socializing.
What inspires you to keep at it each day?
Honestly- and I know it sounds cliché- my customers keep me going. Their excitement, kind words, and repeat orders mean the world to me.
Why did you choose Chariton for your business?
I've lived here nearly my entire life, and this community is home. I wanted to bring something that felt a little "big city" and "fancy" to our small town.
What are your biggest challenges as a business owner?
Biggest Challenge: Finding balance between work and family. When I return to my school job in August, things can get hetic juggling both schedules. Most of my charcuterie orders come in on weekends, which can mean working seven days a week between my business and a 40-hour job. I'm also a recovering people-pleaser, so learning to say "no" when I'm overwhelmed has been tough. Thankfully, my customers have been so understanding, and I'm incredibly grateful for that.
What are your biggest rewards?
Biggest Reward: Hearing customer feedback and meeting people in the community I might not have met otherwise. That connection is truly priceless.
What will people get from your business that they won't get anywhere else?
I like to think of myself as a "jack of all trades." Over the past six months, I've expanded beyond characuterie to include fruit boards, crudités, and other custome creations. If a client has a vision, I love collaborating to make it even better than they imagined. With Gather & Graze, every board is personalised. It's not one-size-fits-all- I want to create something that feels just for you.
I am currently working on expanding my menu! I'm also looking into providing classes/workshops for our communty! Follow along on Facebook so you don't miss out on fun events and new menu offerings!
Follow Gather & Graze on Facebook here:
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