Piece & Freedom Bakery has quickly established itself as a distinctive addition to Downtown Ames. The Ukrainian-owned bakery recently marked its one-year anniversary and was honored as the Trailblazer of the Year by the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. Together, those milestones reflect both the business’ early success and its growing connection to the community.
For co-owner Shalika Khindurangala, the recognition reflects not only entrepreneurial success, but the community’s willingness to embrace something entirely new and unknown for some.
“When we opened Piece & Freedom, we didn’t try to imitate what Ames already had,” Shalika said in her acceptance speech. “We brought unfamiliar flavors, unfamiliar techniques, and a different pace of work. We trusted that people here would be curious enough to meet us halfway.” They were.
From Homeland to Heartland
Piece & Freedom is the result of intersecting journeys shaped by migration, family, and entrepreneurism.
Shalika was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, before moving to the United States in 2009. After time in Arizona and Houston, Texas, she returned to Ames in 2021 and now works as a Data and Technology Specialist in Iowa State University’s College of Engineering. Her mother, Ira, is the bakery’s head baker, bringing decades of experience and tradition into every loaf and pastry.
Their business partner, Hanna Petrova, was born in Ukraine as well, in a region that is now under occupation. After living in Washington, Iowa, Hanna moved to Ames in 2024. The two met on Ukrainian Independence Day, August 24, a fitting coincidence that would soon become the foundation of a business rooted in cultural pride.
By November 2024, the pieces were coming together. The bakery officially opened shortly after, intentionally and with a clear sense of purpose.
“When we heard ‘Trailblazer of the Year,’ we weren’t sure if we blazed the trail, or if the trail blazed us,” Shalika joked. “But in all seriousness, Piece & Freedom was built on family and community.”
Choosing Authenticity
In an industry often driven by speed, scale, and adaptation, Piece & Freedom took a different approach.
“There’s this idea that you should ‘be your authentic self,’ but often that gets Americanized,” Shalika said. “We took a stance and said, ‘We’re not doing that.’”
Everything at Piece & Freedom is made by Ukrainians, using traditional techniques and recipes inspired by Ukrainian and broader European baking traditions. There are no artificial dyes, no shortcuts, and no attempt to dilute flavors for mass appeal. Instead, the bakery invites customers to explore something unfamiliar.
“People come in curious,” Hanna said. “They want to try a new cuisine. This isn’t a typical place and that’s what makes it exciting.”
Bread That Brings People Together
If there’s a single product that defines Piece & Freedom, it’s the bread.
During farmers’ market season, the bakery produces upwards of 200 loaves per week, ranging from traditional sourdough to inventive varieties featuring gouda and green onion, feta cheese, peppers, and bright, savory flavors that customers describe as “tasting like pizza.”
Some have gone so far as to call it the best bread in Iowa.
But the menu doesn’t stop there. Heart-shaped cookies, savory Ukrainian cheese boats seasoned with dill, and sweet cakes, most notably the iconic Kyiv Cake, naturally gluten-free and layered with rich buttercream, round out an offering that blends comfort with craftsmanship.
Behind the scenes, the team is continually experimenting, refining, and learning. Releasing their full menu was both a risk and a celebration, and the response has been enthusiastic.
“People are excited,” Hanna said simply. “They want more.”
Small by Design
From the beginning, Piece & Freedom was built with discipline.
Limited days. A focused menu. Controlled growth. “In an industry that often rewards speed and scale, we chose sustainability and consistency instead,” Shalika said. “Because that’s what lasts.”
That intentional approach has paid off. From early days baking in North Ames to hundreds of customers lining up on the weekend at the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market, the bakery’s following has grown steadily without losing the personal experience that defines it.
Shalika still maintains her role at Iowa State, balancing career and entrepreneurship. Ira continues to anchor the operation with skill and heart. And Hanna brings both creativity and grit to a business that, one year in, feels firmly rooted.
A Trail Worth Following
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance’s Trailblazer Award honors individuals whose initiative drives new ventures while creating meaningful community impact. For Piece & Freedom, that impact is measured not just in sales or awards, but in moments, shared curiosity, cultural exchange, and the simple act of breaking bread together.
“When we opened, we were afraid,” Shalika admitted. “What if they don’t come? What if they don’t like it?”
“And then,” she said, “they all showed up.”
One year later, Piece & Freedom Bakery stands as a reminder that Downtown Ames remains a place where bold ideas can take root and where authenticity, when paired with care and quality, can turn a small, improbable idea into something lasting.
Learn more about Piece & Freedom Bakery on their website.