Ok,several months ago i went to this bagel place to grab some breakfast. i saw they had a bulletin board and found a card on there for a women's networking thing. so i asked the lady (also the owner) if she knew anything about it. as the conversation went, she asked what i did, and i told her. i also mentioned that i was looking for kitchen space to rent. well, she was very interested, showed me a huge kitchen area with a private door, tons of free space and all i would have to provide was my own oven and mixer. she had everything else.

she said she would speak with her inspector to see if an arrangement could be made, and the building owner's ok, and she would call me. she never did, so i called her. after a few attempts, i reached her. she said it would work and quoted me $450 a month. I reallize thats probably cheap as far as rent goes, but i didn't plan on being there full time, and she understood that it was a part time thing and that i have two kids who take up most of my time. but as it stands, i can't see bringing in that much money at first. if i thought i was going to rake in the profits, i would consider my own storefront.

oh, we also considered that i could bake things for her to sell in her store at no charge, as part of deal. i would also carry liability, require my own inspections, use only my own supplies, etc.
so, i said thank you and i would get back to her. i never did, as life took over and i didn't have the money she wanted anyway.

so now, all these months later, and still no luck finding a kitchen, i'm considering going back there and asking her what the $450 a month would cover. should i ask ? i'm really curious as to why she quoted me that.

now last week, i spoke with a couple who run a cafe/catering joint. they are interested in possibly letting me work under their license (terms to be discussed after we decide yes or no). i could really learn alot from these folks, and would save me a ton of money in the beginning.

so should i make a point to visit her before i speak to the catering folks? i really liked the bagel shop, liked the idea of a separate entrance and having a key and access whenever i need, and right up the street from the kids' school. it just had so many pluses, and the woman was very nice. except she never called me back, i called her.

just wondering if her price was realistic and i don't want to seem shocked when i talk to the other people and they're about the same price. a bit confusing? yeah, but thats just me.

ok, im done.
thanks for reading

$450 a month?? Sounds like a steal to me! I pay over $2k a month! Don't take this harsh, but this person has forked out thousands to get her kitchen up to HD standards...$450 is really a small price to pay!

At the kitchen I rent space from, you can rent hourly or pay around $400 a month for "unlimited" time. Unless you seriously plan on spending a lot of time there, it would be my advice to keep looking. Especially since you have kids. Those little suckers just take so much darn time...

The catering folks sound interesting, please let us know how it goes!

see, i'm glad i posted. she was the first person i had approached, nor have i had any offers since, and so i had nothing to compare the price to.

i understand the expenses she pays. but the fridge isn't a reach in, just a very large regular refrigerator. there isn't much in the way of shelving, storage, or anything. i was amazed at the size of this kitchen, with practically nothing in it. all she does is sell bagels, so she has tons of space.

with or without me, she's paying the same amount for lease, and since i would have provided my own oven, insurance, certificates and licenses, food and non food supplies, and not using her as a store front, i guess i was being unrealistic (or perhaps just unknowlegable) in expecting to pay a bit less.

thanks for the input, next time i wont be so shocked.

It would be an interesting thread asking what CC members pay for renting kitchens. It would be nice to compare.