I have a legal catering kitchen bakery on my property in CA. I had seriously considered opening a showroom in a larger nearby town. I found a place with a beautiful window for display for $500 a month with all utilities included. It has been the best thing I have ever done!

My business has increased three-fold. I am in my showroom 3 days a week for consultations and tastings. I have been here three months and don't regret my decision one bit. I don't know why I waited so long.

One of the perks is that it 100 degrees outside and I am in a very cool building and not worrying about my PG&E bill!

I have pictures on my website. Wanted to show you guys but I am too computer illiterate to download them to this site.

Congratulations! Sounds like you're gonna be busy!

Lovely cakes

Congrats! Very smart business move!! I have been thinking of doing something similar...rent a small office space for displays, consultations, and cake item storage and rent kitchen space..you've really got me thinking now

Great cakes, congratulations!

Thats great news. So while you are at your showroom the 3 days a week, are you able to do any of the little bits that may have to go on your cakes or do you just wait around for people to come in? Do you take orders when people come in? Do you find that you are then crunched for time to get all your baking done and orders for the week bake at your bakery? Just curious to see how it works for you. I think having a showroom is a great idea. Thanks for sharing, The window display looks great and your cakes are beautiful.

Thanks guys. I am here at the showroom from 12-6 Mon-Wed. I also have an open tasting and consultation Wed evenings from 6-8pm.

Not coming in until 12:00 allows me to get alot of work done in the morning hours. Thursday, Friday, and Sat I am working in kitchen. My hours are posted and so far have not had a problem with it. I am available on those days also , but by appointment only. I can't work at all in showroom because of health dept restrictions.

great cakes--- wonderful window.

Typo on www "Cakes only available through per-order". I am sure you meant pre-order... but a better sentence may be.."All cakes custom made to fulfill your order." ??? I was trying to rewrite it somehow... lol... frustrated English major I guess....

LOVE your "look"....congrats....

I am so happy to hear that this is working for you. It is something I have debated on for nearly and year and I think hearing about your success has given me the motivation I need to make the leap. Thanks so much!
Congratulations and continued good luck !!!

Many congratultions!! I love to hear happy stories from other people who are fulfilling their cake dreams!!
I would LOVE to see pictures!!!

Hmmm... what a great idea! I live in a small town too, about 30 miles from the nearest larger town. After I retire from my "real" job, something like this may be an option.

When you get orders at your showroom, do you deliver the cakes, or do you take the cake to your showroom have clients pick up there, or do they come to your commercial facility for pick up?

Thanks for the idea. So glad it is working out for you.

Cascades:

I have pretty much the same set up as you do, I have a studio space in the closest bigger town from my licensed home kitchen. I use it for display purposes, and hold consultations there, and will be able to hold cupcake parties and classes there starting soon.

I love having a large window to display some of the styles of cakes I do, and love to have people just come in and chat about cake.

I'm glad to know that it is working for you. It was one of the best moves I have made in my cake decorating career!!!

I have been tossing around the idea of a second building on my property for a commercial kitchen. How big is the building your kitchen is in?? Love the idea of having a kitchen at home, and a second space with more exposure. Sounds like the best of both worlds!

Raise those prices lady!!!!
your cakes and display are just beautiful.

would others mind sharing what there monthly cost is just for window space? How do you go about finding something like this? Do you just rent window space from someone elses office, or are you renting that whole office space. I might look into this, I spoke with a friend who recently sold her bakery and went into real estate and she's going to let me know if she comes across anything. Sounds like a great idea.