Things that you look for in a Bakery

Gosh, I'm truly sorry you lost your job! It is wonderful that you're going to be starting a bakery. How great!

I either shop at the ones I know are good, and have been in business for 20 years, or I look for the modern, trendy places. However I do notice a trend with restaurants. Many have that fresh and trendy look but the food is awful. I want both. I'd rather go to a dive with good food, then a cute place with mediocre food.

If I were planning a party or a wedding the look of the website would play an important roll too. A modern, functional website influences my decsions in companies. Cakecentral, for example has a great website.
Here is another that works well. I'd want to order from them.
http://www.thecakestore.com/

That's all I can think of. Good luck!

I agree with Nikki_10. I wouldn't care what the place looked like if the foord was good and the price was right.

WOW How wonderful!! Good Luck and here are my thoughts.
We have alot of little cake shops here. One thing I don't like at the ones here are that they are way to small. They are so small that you can't even get comfortable in there. If you are a bride you want comfort and quality. We all know about Bridezillas! lol
Now there is a jewelry shop around here that has a comfortable setting. I know your not selling jewelry, but the set up is good. I think it would work great for a cake shop. When you walk in there is plenty of room to browse. The displays are set up as you walk in like an upside down " U ". (hope I explained that right) It has a big space in the center to stand around. Maybe adding a small round table or two (white wicker would look comfy) with books of cakes or some sort of literature (coloring pages for kids, print out cake coloring pages )so that the customer can sit if they like, or sit their children down so that they can browse. A place to sit if waiting to place to an order. Setting glass cake holders around with some samples would be great too. I would think white linen with some pastel colors. Where it would feel soft and beautiful. Having dummy cakes displaying in the front window with white linen draping behind it with some white lights. Just a thought!

I am sorry to hear about your job and very jealous that you are getting to open your own bakery! That is awesome!

I like to see a place with personality and clutter free. I do not like it when I go in a store front and can see pans and tools and supplies. There is a bakery in Harvey, Creative Cakes, that was very simple in the store front and then they had a big picture window into the kitchen part and I thought that was so neat and kids and parents alike would stand and watch them decorate cakes while waiting to order. (Note - I said waiting to order. The place was always packed) After moving away, I went back about a year later and they had a board over the window........ didn't like that at all - what are they hiding; however, they are still packed.

I like to see something that reflects the owners interest, ideas, way of thinking and attention to detail.

Oh, And the big thing I like to see is a smiling face when I walk in. Bakery's should be fun and light. People are coming there to purchase something to celebrate a happy time and I think the mood of the person behind the counter should reflect that too. I don't want to see a stressed out baker/designer because I want to think that they love their job and put as much love and energy into a cake as I woud.

Oh and a place to view pictures of cakes that is out of the way and a nice book too. I hate it when customers are reaching around you or you have to move because they need to get where you are or the book is falling apart and pictures are missing and it seems that the busier a place gets the more they tend to look past the small details.

And of course, FREE SAMPLES!!!! hahahah There is a bakery here that has a big glass jar (always free of smudges, I will add) that has fresh baked cookies in it. Yummmmmmmmy

I already have my bakery planned out when I open one.

That's my 2 cents.

Wish you all the best!!!!!!!!!!!

bj

The table is a good idea. I happen to live within walking distance of one of the top ten bakeries in the US (not good! ) and although it's not the trendiest of places, it does have that U set up, with a table. They also serve fresh gourmet coffee from one of the local roasters. You get a big cup too, so I go there a lot!

I think that is really neat that you are opening a bakery! Customers always like to see a book of cakes to choose from. I also like to see decorated cakes displayed somehow...like in a clear refrigerator...I forget what they are called. I think all the ideas so far are really good! Good luck and keep us posted when you open up!
traci

Good Luck in your new venture! To me a sparkling clean bakery with yummy food is what I would look for. I like the idea of a comortable table with books to look through. I also think a scrapbook with photos of cakes you've done and thank you notes you have received would be a neat touch as well. I think great smelling coffee to go along with those delicious treats you'll be creating would be an added selling point as well.

"The Hummingbird Bakery" I would definitely stop in.

Best of Luck

bj

Before I was interestd in cakes, like most people, I didnt know you could get specialty cakes in a bakery. I always baught my cakes at walmart. Now I visit the bakerys in my area and they make great cakes at a comparable price. Most people out thier dont know that they can buy something other than a sheet cake. Display your works of art were people can see them. When i started makeing cakes the people around me were amazed, Walmart bakery? whats that?

My favorite bakery is a very trindy small little nuc, Cakes in the windows, and a glass case of things that make your mouth water. They have a small space out side that people can sit at and eat a pastry and drink a cup of java. It has been open only about 6 months and everytime i go in is so full, But when I have a craving i gotta have it.

First off, congratulations! At the time, I'm sure losing your job felt like the end of the world. It's funny how these things sometimes turn out to be a blessing, isn't it?

You've got a lot of great ideas from the other ladies. I love the idea of an area to browse a scrapbook of your work, the coffee and a kid area. Are you going to offer treats on the spot as well as custom orders? Maybe you'd like to set up a few cafe tables inside or outside so that people can get a pastry or a cookie to go with that coffee. Another idea I had since you like kids and want people to feel comfortable bringing them to your shop is maybe having a decorate a cookie day, perhaps tied into your grand opening. That way people will come in with their kids, get a sample of your goods, and hopefully walk away with a box of goodies too.

Good luck with your new venture. I love the name, btw.

Lori

I walked into a swimming pool shop the other day and they had a little spot for kids. It had a plastic (looked like wooden picked fence) set in a corner and it was big enough for a plastic pinic bench just for kids. It was filled with crayons, coloring pages and plastic toys. On the outside of the fence it had plastic but sturdy benches around it. I sat down there and let Brian color while hubby browsed. It was cute! I love it! lord knows it would have been hard to keep him away from the spa's filled with water, had that little play area not been there.