I just opened my bakery in my storage building (30ft x 40ft) and have a small space for displaying my cakes, and selling premade specialty. I wanted to know if any of you all sell supplies as well. I have sold some deco Pac cake kits, packaging boxes, and boards. I wanted to expand my inventory to include pans, tips, and other supplies. I am wanting to know if the investment is worth it or not. What do you think? By the way the closest cake decorating supply store is about 30 miles away.

I don't sell supplies because I don't have enough room in my shop but I have a friend that does and she says she wishes she hadn't tied up her money in so many supplies. I think she priced herself out of the water but by the time you add in shipping costs I can see how it would add up. I order my supplies from CKProducts...check out their website and see if you could actually make any $$. www.ckproducts.com You'll have to register before you can look at the prices.

Books! I think you should include books. Gels, paste and pans would be a good choice.. Good Luck!!

I think it's a great idea! I don't own a store yet, but it's my dream to own one one day. I will definately think about selling cake decorating supplies when I do - there are only about half a dozen stores in the entire country, and none in my city (closest is 40-50 miles away!). Good luck with your new business whatever you decide!

I sell supplies on ebay.I try to sell harder to find items that are in demand. You have to really price it right to make it worth it for you and the customer though. Since you can get so much on the internet these days especially if you can get wholesale prices, I would say realllly do some research! Start small and listen to your cutomers. Once you start to stock up, they will tell you what they would like to see in your store!

Also be careful. You don't want to undermine your bakery business. If you sell the supplies to do what you do, they might figure they can do it themselves!!!

Rezzy

i thought about selling supplies too....but the thing is, would there really be that much of a demand for the stuff to make it worthwhile?

i will sell from the stock that i have onhand, but i hardly get any requests...so i nixed that idea...the real money in this business is in the wedding cakes.

I sell just a few things, I do not have the space for a bunch of supplies. When I did retail, I sold things like balloons and candles and some bridal things. I think a 30 x 40 bakery is enough space for a bakery but not alot for retail items. I personally think it is a waste of money unless you have alot of space to warehouse and ship.Besides there are those items that sit and sit and eventually you have to mark-down. And then there is keeping up with inventory, frankly I am busy enough with just baking and decorating, to even mess with keeping up with it.The closet around here is about 35 miles to shop for items, but I mainly order from a supplier, so I don't have to travel to find stuff.

I have a small custom cake shop and do "specialty" cakes only. I was going to add Coffee and small tea sandwiches to my daily sales, but decided not to. I wanted to be "true" to my vission.

Then when the landlord took away 1/5 of my space, I no longer had the option to do so. It's a struggle, but I don't have to serve 2 masters.