Commerical Kitchen Rental, Why is it so hard to find? - Page 2

I'm in Middle River, Baltimore County. MD. and i'm wondering the same thing. I need to know average hourly cost as I'm looking to start baking birthday and event cakes soon.

Thank you for your reply, this helped me to start a search.

Acjohson-

I've run into the same problems. I wasn't sure if it was the licensing and insurance that had them all turning us down. In our case, my husband is trying to start another food-based business and even though we know a few people we haven't had much luck finding someplace. Small, local restaurants are our next avenue. (We're in AA County)

I'm thinking that that is the business to be in! Building a commercial kitchen to rent out time. It seems like, especially with the economy, people are trying different ways of making extra money. Small food-based businesses seem to be an attractive way to do that.

Sorry, that wasn't much help

I've been looking into spaces to rent and I was wondering what you Marylanders had learned about what *we* would need to have in place to legally do that. I haven't had much luck getting a single straight answer from my local health department...

If I wanted to do my baking/decorating out of an already licensed commercial kitchen (like a church or existing cafe), what would I need to have in place?

I assume I would need to form my own business, get a servesafe certificate, and liability insurance. Is there anything else I need (other than the actual location, I mean)?

To share a little information I recently learned (as I am in the process of opening a bakery using a rented commercial kitchen).

After hours of research and phone calls, etc, I learned that the avg cost to rent a kitchen in my area is $20 to $30 per hour, some charing much more, but none charging less.

Many had 20 hour per month minimums - but a very few offered a full access monthly rate that was under $600 and one even under $500 per month for unlimited 24 hour usage. So, if you look hard enough you can find a decent opportunity.

But there are many more stipulations and pricey add ons of opening a retail bakery . . even if it is rented kitchen:

1. Insurance. Be prepared to shell out a down payment for liability insurance. Most shared kitchens want proof of insurance before they will rent to you. Our policy cost about $500 yearly with 30% down and monthly payments.

2. Health Inspection - could cost several hundred dollars. Even though the kitchen is already inspected, you will still need your own inspection/permit.

3. Here in NYS, you are obligated (as far as I understand) to also have disability insurance, or you won't get your permit. My agent tells me this will increase our premium from $500 to $630. Not too bad, but all the things keep adding up.

4. Workers Comp Insurance -another wonderful thing that is needed (as far as I understand . . even if you have no employees). This is pricey. It adds another $1,200 a year to our policy . .and that was just a rough estimate.

Then add in price of ingredients, boxes, equipt, etc . . .

Renting a kitchen is still quite an investment for a few cakes a month. But we laugh in the face of danger . .. and are doing it anyway.

[quote="Acjohnson"]


It obviously depends on your location. But, in Seattle, WA (somewhat high cost of living) the minimum I have found is $25 an hour with a 4 hour minimum. I have seem some much higher than this.

If you rent by the month, it's obviously a lot cheaper per hour.

To the Maryland girls.....check with your local VFW/Moose Lodge etc.....if you know of anyone who is a member they may be able to speak with someone there for you.

I still don't understand why we can not have a home base business in MD. Is there anything we can do to get a cottage law passed in MD?

I don't mind getting my kitchen inspected and anything else. This is the major reason I only bake for friends and family.

Do you have to be a member? I emailed VFW and am waiting to hear back.

It can be quite expensive and frustrating to find a commercial kitchen. I used to recommend the shared use kitchens, which are businesses specifically set up for small food businesses so they can rent space. I've found that non-profit shared-use kitchens are reasonably priced and also offer business help. But the for-profit kitchens charge so much that it's hardly worth the time and money to rent. I now recommend that people look at existing businesses (restaurants, bars, delis, etc) or community agencies (churches, schools, VFWs, firehalls, etc.) that already have commercial kitchens. These places are often willing to rent or barter space for a low amount.

Another option is to find a small storefront and share that space with another small business. A couple months ago I wrote about All Good Bakers in Albany NY. http://bakingfix.com/thefix/?p=5003 Their start-up may help give you ideas.

it' unlikely. But, there s a thread about passing a cottage food bill in MD that you might want to rad so you can see where the process is.

to the maryland bakers: have any of you found a kitchen to rent yet? i am interested in doing the same thing