A mother and son from Galva are getting national attention for the inspiring story behind their bakery.
Margaret Cortes started Special Kneads Bakery last year when she was looking for a career reset and a place for her 18-year-old son Frankie to work.
Frankie was born with cerebral palsy but has according to Margaret has flourished through the Geneseo School District’s life skills program, and already was working a few hours at a local attorney’s office and a Subway.
A story from TV Station KWQC about the bakery got the attention of outlets around the U.S., in Canada and even Israel, before the Cortes got a call from Good Morning America’s afternoon spinoff Strahan Sara and Keke.
They were in New York City for the appearance last Tuesday, and the hosts surprised Frankie with a golf cart to be customized for him.
It’s been a whirlwind experience but it all started when Margaret lost her job.
Margaret Googled what kinds of businesses were trending in small towns and near the top of the list was bakeries.
Margaret started the bakery in 2018 in part so her son would have a place to work, but also out of necessity when she lost her job.
With no funds for advertising Special Kneads is nonetheless gotten loads of exposure, saying they can’t believe how much the phone has been ringing lately.
Margaret says in the days since the boom of media exposure customers have come in to see Frankie, and she says they’re always disappointed in he’s not there.
But she says she and Frankie are loving serving the customers.
Frankie even has people coming in to see him and leaving disappointed when they find out he usually just works Saturdays.
