What to do, what to do, what to do...
I was hoping to get some input from the wonderful people on here about a dilemma I'm running into.
It is my understanding that in Wisconsin you may not have a bakery or cakery in your home. Period. Restaurants will not let their customers bring in items that were baked either in the customer's home or anyone else's home. It is a health code violation and an insurance risk the restaurants are not willing to take. This equals no wedding business for me basically. And no large orders.
I had a line on a commercial kitchen at a spa that was also a catering company, but the owner is having health issues and has put the business up for sale. She has said I could move my stuff in and work from there for a % of each cake, but I don't want to get settled someplace only to discover the new owners aren't willing to work with me; or they end up closing the doors completely and I'm out on the street starting over again.
I'm a one-person operation and don't have the volume or the capacity to crank out the kind of volume it would take to cover the expense of either purchasing a storefront, or paying a monthly rent/utilities/etc. on my own space. I live in a small town. I can't charge $100 for a 9" cake, no matter HOW beautiful it is. I really wouldn't have any customers then.
I guess I'm just frustrated and venting.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Diana Viera on
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I share your pain Eileen. In Connecticut it's the same thing. It is my understanding, and I hope a Wilton instructor or someone who knows this answer come forward, that you can bake at a church, small mom and pop restaurant, etc., that is licensed and maybe work out a deal with them that you will bake for them when they have a function for letting you bake in their facilities. I don't know all the details but I think it may be something worth looking into. It would be hard for me because I'm working all day and come home around 5:30 or so every night.
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Permalink Reply by tracey lopez on
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We have the same problem in Texas!
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Eileen ~ another thought . . . would it be worth moving your stuff in, just to make cupcakes, small cakes, displaying decorated cake dummies, etc., just to get the experience of having a place and maybe, you may gain the respect of the new owners and they'll let you stay? I figured in the meantime, you can build up a nice savings and put it to the side until you know for sure what the new owners will say. Just a thought.
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Permalink Reply by Gretchen Belsome on
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Is it only the baking that can't be done at home, or everything? I was so upset when I found this out. I am investing a lot of money is this Hobby and it is sad that I can't do more with it. I have a friend with a small sandwich shop and I was going to put a cake in there for them to sell by the slices, he only has one dessert item on the menu, but now I am scared. I would hate to ask him if I could bake my cakes there, even though he might let me, but still I feel like I would be impossing. I know Sam's (like Costco) is selling their cakes, cupcakes etc, froozen and uniced. Would that be be the same or not? I was concidering buying some of these to have on hand for when I need something quick and don't have the time to bake.
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Permalink Reply by Jeanne on
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You would have to do everything in the commercial kitchen and carry our own license and insurance. None of it can be done at home. You can call your local regulators, but that is pretty standard in all states that do not allow home kitchens to prepare food for sale and public consumption.
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I also wanted to say that I live in a small town too and I charge $100 for an 8" cake, so it's possible. Keep your head up. You will find another way. =]
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Permalink Reply by Pam Carlisle on
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Hi Eileen, Most of us start from home with a few cakes for family and friends and then it explodes. If you have the passion and the talent it's gonna happen. Getting licensed and jumping through all the hoops is the right thing to do. In my case I know that God has called me to this ministry and has opened the way. I started off in a shared kitchen for a year and a half and then moved to my own shop a year ago last Feb. I live in a very small town too but don't underestimate where the money is. If you have confidence in your talent and abilites and are willing to put your all into it you can have a nice little business even with paying taxes and all the expenses. My wedding clientle has grown by leaps and bounds this year and I don't have to worry about the Health Dept closing me down and paying a fine. I'm gaining the respect of brides and wedding planners. I make more in a legimate business even with paying all the expenses then I ever would flying under the radar at home. Pam
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Permalink Reply by Eileen S on
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Pam, do you have employees? Or are you still working alone? I'm just curious.
E.
Pam Carlisle said:Hi Eileen, Most of us start from home with a few cakes for family and friends and then it explodes. If you have the passion and the talent it's gonna happen. Getting licensed and jumping through all the hoops is the right thing to do. In my case I know that God has called me to this ministry and has opened the way. I started off in a shared kitchen for a year and a half and then moved to my own shop a year ago last Feb. I live in a very small town too but don't underestimate where the money is. If you have confidence in your talent and abilites and are willing to put your all into it you can have a nice little business even with paying taxes and all the expenses. My wedding clientle has grown by leaps and bounds this year and I don't have to worry about the Health Dept closing me down and paying a fine. I'm gaining the respect of brides and wedding planners. I make more in a legimate business even with paying all the expenses then I ever would flying under the radar at home. Pam
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No employees working by my lonesome. I have to keep myself organized and focused and I try not to overbook myself. I have a minimum so I don't take small cakes. Pam
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With that said Pam, do you have a life outside of your baking? The only reason why I ask is because like Eileen, I'm looking to do the same but waiting for my youngest to finish high school. After that I'm willing to put 100% into opening up a little shop but was wondering if there was room for a life afterwards.
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I'm considering waiting until my youngest is in PRESCHOOL! LOL.
Diana Viera said:With that said Pam, do you have a life outside of your baking? The only reason why I ask is because like Eileen, I'm looking to do the same but waiting for my youngest to finish high school. After that I'm willing to put 100% into opening up a little shop but was wondering if there was room for a life afterwards.
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LOL
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