Kitchen/store Front Setup (Don't Want To Miss Anything)

Business By cblupe Updated 15 Aug 2009 , 6:53am by cblupe

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cblupe Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 3:26pm
post #1 of 20

OK friends here on CC - I am in the really early stage of writing my business plan (which is going quite nice). I am looking at retail space that is awesome but it has nothing in it. I have to start from scratch at equiping this space. I know the obvious, sinks, ovens, refridgerator, work tables, mixers etc. I would like to hear from all of you experts on what you missed when you set up or what you have that you can't live without.

I don't want to miss including anything on my plan when I start looking for financing.

Thanks in advance - I hope this makes sense!
Carol


Thanks IndyDebi for your reply!

"I am very blessed that I had a kitchen designer do my kitchen, so I got a few things extra that I never would have thought of. She didnt' charge me for her services since I bought the equipment from her.

My ONLY two regrets are no garbage disposal (how the heck did we overlook THAT one!?) and I wish I had a 3-door freezer instead of a 2-door.

My niece found a silver 3-shelf cart at a restaurant sale that she bought and gave me. I keep this next to the mixer and use it for storage for gloves, wax paper, measuring cups, trash bags .... misc stuff that I use every single day. It's GREAT (this falls under extra storage).

Things to consider though .... you will need more shelving/storage space than you plan for. Yes, you will.

The purchase that STILL irritates me is paying fifty bucks for a commercial mop bucket. (fifty bucks! that is SO nuts that those things cost that much!).

It's the little things, though, that start to add up, so up your budget for smallwares and misc items, like trash cans ... one by the hand washing sink, one in the restroom and at least 2 in the kitchen area. The mop bucket. The mop. Brooms and dustpan. Paper towels for the hand sink. All the soaps .... sink, handsink, floor, cleaners, sanitizers, windex I(I bought mine thru Sysco, in cases ... cost me $700 up front for soaps. They lasted more than 6 months, though); wax paper, parchment paper, gloves, ziplocks, the dishwashing tools (scratcher, washcloths, yellow rubber gloves), trash bags.

Then the expenses no one told me about so they weren't planned for: dumpster expense, fire extinguishers and semi-annual inspection, grease trap ($1000)."

This is exactly the information that I hadn't considered!

Anyone else want to jump in on their experiences in setting up?

Thanks,
Carol

19 replies
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oksugar Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 3:46pm
post #2 of 20

a grease trap in a cake shop? do you do more than cakes?....looking forward to more replies on this post!

thanks!

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cupcakemkr Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 4:02pm
post #3 of 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by oksugar

a grease trap in a cake shop? do you do more than cakes?....looking forward to more replies on this post!

thanks!




yep - there is grease in your buttercream (butter, shortening, oil (in cake))

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jillmakescakes Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 4:31pm
post #4 of 20

Its AMAZING how much the "little things" add up. Between office supplies, general cleaning equipment, paper products (bathroom, office, lobby) and printed materials, it gets expensive fast!

My best advice is to figure out what system you want to use to keep track of your orders, both to-be-done and completed. Its hard to catch up once you get started.

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littlecake Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 6:22pm
post #5 of 20

i have a greasetrap...and i still have to have my pipes snaked out every couple of years.

i am the proud owner of a 50 dollar mop bucket too...plus i have big plastic food safe buckets to keep icing in at 65 bucks a pop.

you are gonna need an extra bowl for your big mixer.

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tirechic Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 6:38pm
post #6 of 20

I dont have a lot to add, my family is made up of small businesses, just make sure u have a good accounting program, i hear the Cake Boss thing is good, and as always,as women we rock, and you will rock this thing too, GOOD LUCK, and hang a little horseshoe over the front door for luck, paint it all pretty or something.

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cblupe Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 6:47pm
post #7 of 20

Thanks everyone so far. I am writing this stuff down. It's great advice and I love hearing from CC'ers. icon_smile.gif

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misroxy73 Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 6:48pm
post #8 of 20

I am so glad you posted this! I was afraid to ask.. for fear of seeming stupid.. but i was making out my business plan.. and couldnt figure out the cost of all the "stuff" i will need for start up..I have got the basics figured.. fridge- oven) .. but wasnt sure just what you can get by with at first. I was lucky and found 2 floral stand alone coolers on craigslist for 500 a piece..and now i have a storage unit...LOL. also, projected sales and initial product start up costs..( flour & sugar) how much will be needed to start up....such were a toughy for me.. since the local businesses are very....i dont know what to call it.. secretive..... so hard to get any input.. they think you are going to steal their business.. any good estimates for me? I live in the Champaign IL. area, I want to do a home business, but I have heard thru the grape vine that IL. wont license home kitchens... Any clue on that?
I saw a online book published on "how to start a bakery" for 100 or so dollars.. anyone tried that? will it be useful to buy?
these last few expense items are all that i am waiting on to start the ball rolling with the bank.. sorry for so many questions...
Misty icon_redface.gificon_biggrin.gif

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cblupe Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 9:36pm
post #9 of 20

No kidding - I see several cake decorating businesses on line in my area but they only want an email response to them on what sort of cake you are looking for. What I want is to go to the store/kitchen/set-up and have them show me around (yes, I am your competition eventually) but I feel there is enough business to share and everyone's style is so different.

I think when someone is not above board (legal) then they don't have an address in their website on where they are making their cakes. Sly dogs.

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misroxy73 Posted 17 Apr 2009 , 11:36pm
post #10 of 20

Its not that they have a website or not...... the walk-in places dont want you there... it used to be that people would show you around, not be stingy with info... i guess you could say. I'm looking for a mentor of sorts. I have applied for jobs, and even offered volenteer services to some places.. so the bank can see i have "time in the environment" before they will give me my loan (as they require~ which with out they will not give to me). i guess society isnt like when I was younger and we helped out the new people... taught them, helped them.. its seems to be the all for one.. and all for me mentality. no more passing on the trade.
makes me sad.

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cakesweetiecake Posted 14 Aug 2009 , 12:08pm
post #11 of 20

Great thread!

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-K8memphis Posted 14 Aug 2009 , 12:16pm
post #12 of 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by misroxy73

...I was lucky and found 2 floral stand alone coolers on craigslist for 500 a piece..and now i have a storage unit...LOL.




First off--no the only usefull part of that book probably is that your hunnerd bucks will be useful to the person you give it too.

But are you using the floral coolers for storage or as friges? Because floral coolers condense like crazy--flowers like the moisture--cakes do not.

Wrong purchase for cakes. You can keep ingredients and products in there but cakes will weep. You maybe can have them fitted with dryers--maybe maybe not.

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pieceacake830 Posted 14 Aug 2009 , 12:28pm
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cblupe: " I think when someone is not above board (legal) then they don't have an address in their website on where they are making their cakes. Sly dogs."




I have a legal home kitchen, and I dont list my exact street address on my websitefor a very good reason. I dont feel the need for customer to just show up un announced at 8 am on a Sat morning! I have customers come and do pick ups at a convienient time for BOTH of us. Sometimes I just would like to sleep in, esp after finishing a cake at 2 or 3 am! It really is no ones business what color my jammies are thank you. No, I am NOT a "sly dog".

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indydebi Posted 14 Aug 2009 , 12:37pm
post #14 of 20

There are many legit reasons for not having an address listed on a website. I see lots of consultants, accountants, etc, type of companies with no address listed for the same reason ...... they don't want people just popping in to their home, where they maintain their home office.

That said, it is a red flag when a food person does not list an address. There are lots of legit reasons for not listing it, but it's still a red flag. Just like all the deductions on your tax return ..... the deductions are all legit, but they still red flag you for an audit.

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pieceacake830 Posted 14 Aug 2009 , 12:43pm
post #15 of 20

I should also add, that my home phone number is on my website, so its not just ordering through emails. I welcome any of my customers into my home, I just want to know that they are coming first.

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Doug Posted 14 Aug 2009 , 12:52pm
post #16 of 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by misroxy73

I live in the Champaign IL. area, I want to do a home business, but I have heard thru the grape vine that IL. wont license home kitchens... Any clue on that?




answer: no, but...

no, not in your home, but....

see these two threads for lots more info

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-590642-illinois.html+licence+license

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-586218-states.html+licence+license

HTH

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Deehrvy Posted 14 Aug 2009 , 12:52pm
post #17 of 20

All I can say is Thank you, all of your information is wonderful. icon_smile.gif

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indydebi Posted 14 Aug 2009 , 1:06pm
post #18 of 20

In Illinois, it depends on your county. PM Lenette ... she's in Illinois with a licensed kitchen in her home.

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veronica720 Posted 14 Aug 2009 , 8:31pm
post #19 of 20

This is a very good question to ask. I am also starting from scratch and trying to get everything listed that I will need, it will just make everything so much easier.

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cblupe Posted 15 Aug 2009 , 6:53am
post #20 of 20

cblupe: " I think when someone is not above board (legal) then they don't have an address in their website on where they are making their cakes. Sly dogs."

I sincerely apoligize for the above comment; I didn't intend for anyone to be hurt or insulted by it.

But I am excited that this thread has been revisited. Thanks to everyone for their wisdom.

cb

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