Opening Day At Farmer's Market

Business By maryjsgirl Updated 10 Jul 2009 , 12:28pm by cylstrial

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maryjsgirl Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 5:47pm
post #1 of 28

Just wanted to share how my first day went at the FM. thumbs_up.gif


I started setting up my booth and the coordinator really made a big deal about my presentation. I was happy that he really liked it. I stated in my previous thread that I really tried to sell myself to get the spot. The FM is located at our upscale shopping mall and they were only looking for quality booths. I worried a little, so when he made a big deal about the set-up it made me feel good!

I had spent two days baking everything. The first day I made all of my fillings and icings and then the second day did all the baking and finishing. Everything had to be prepackaged with labels. I am glad I followed through with all of the rules, because before the market even opened the Health Department came by. The lady for the HD was very nice and introduced herself and gave me her card. She also complimented me on the set-up and my cupcake packaging and that was it.

There was a steady flow of traffic throughout the day. I was located right next to what is touted the best restaurant in the area. They were giving out samples of their soup that they sell (awesome). So there was always a line near me thanks to them. thumbs_up.gif

I ended up bringing 190 items which included three different cupcakes, two different muffins, cookies, brownies, and whoopie pies. I made mint brownies and those sold out quick, then the lemon cupcakes, and the sugar cookie bars. The end of the day I had twenty items left! The coconut cupcakes and carrot muffins were my worst sellers. The carrot muffins I know was due to the packaging. The glaze made a mess of the bags. At the end of the day I had my son go around and hand them to the other vendors. They all loved that! In return I got some cheese, onions, and peppers.

I gave out my website to quite a lot of people who asked. I received great reviews of my products. I had quite a few people come back for more. Even the coordinator came back for another lemon cupcake at the end of the day, but were sold out, lol.

Here are some photos of my stand. The tents were provided by the mall. I have a banner ordered that fits in with the color combo, but didn't come in time for today.
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Close up of the table.
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Lemon drop cupcakes-yellow cake, lemon curd filling, and lemon icing.
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Double chocolate cupcake. Everyone loved the "cupcake display cases" aka upside down drinking cups...inspired by Cake Central.
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Close up of the treat stand.
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and most importantly...

The best helper in the world! He's been by my side the last two days helping me get ready. He worked the booth with me the entire day. He loved it! He can't wait until next week! My ten year old son.

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27 replies
messy_chef Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
messy_chef Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 7:29pm
post #2 of 28

Brilliant cupcake packaging! Your booth looks fantastic. I'm glad you did so well icon_smile.gif

Where did you buy the drinking cups with lids- is that something you can get at a wholesale club like BJs or Sams?

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maryjsgirl Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 7:33pm
post #3 of 28

Thanks Messy Chef! I bought the cups and lids at Sam's Club.

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hilly Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 7:44pm
post #4 of 28

Great setup! Thanks for the Sams Club tip, I was wondering where you got those icon_smile.gif

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becky27 Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 7:45pm
post #5 of 28

what a fantastic presentation!!! i am so glad all went well!!! and your helper is very handsome!!!! my son helps me too...they really come thru for us!!!! well congratulations on a successful opening!!!!!

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becky27 Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 7:45pm
post #6 of 28

what a fantastic presentation!!! i am so glad all went well!!! and your helper is very handsome!!!! my son helps me too...they really come thru for us!!!! well congratulations on a successful opening!!!!!

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becky27 Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 7:45pm
post #7 of 28

what a fantastic presentation!!! i am so glad all went well!!! and your helper is very handsome!!!! my son helps me too...they really come thru for us!!!! well congratulations on a successful opening!!!!!

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becky27 Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 7:45pm
post #8 of 28

what a fantastic presentation!!! i am so glad all went well!!! and your helper is very handsome!!!! my son helps me too...they really come thru for us!!!! well congratulations on a successful opening!!!!!

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bonniebakes Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 8:07pm
post #9 of 28

your set-up looks great, and the goodies are making me hungry - yum! What a brilliant idea for single-serving cupcake packaging!!

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countrycakes Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 8:11pm
post #10 of 28

thumbs_up.gif CONGRATULATIONS on a great day! Your booth looks WONDERFUL! Glad your hard work paid off...woot!

PS: The helper is a cutie patootie! icon_biggrin.gif

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countrycakes Posted 2 Jul 2009 , 8:13pm
post #11 of 28

thumbs_up.gif CONGRATULATIONS on a great day! Your booth looks WONDERFUL! Glad your hard work paid off...woot!

PS: The helper is a cutie patootie! icon_biggrin.gif

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CakeForte Posted 3 Jul 2009 , 1:20am
post #12 of 28

Oh I'm so glad you posted this! I have been researching this idea myself as a way to get out there and make extra money besides wedding cakes.

I might be PMing you in the future!

ETA: What info did you put on your labels?

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CarrieBear Posted 3 Jul 2009 , 1:31am
post #13 of 28

looks awesome thumbs_up.gif and what a cool idea for the cupcake packaging love it ! icon_biggrin.gif

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cylstrial Posted 3 Jul 2009 , 1:34am
post #14 of 28

It looks great and it sounds like you did REALLY well! Congrats!

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FromScratch Posted 3 Jul 2009 , 2:27am
post #15 of 28

Yay!!! I'm glad it all went over so well.

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maryjsgirl Posted 3 Jul 2009 , 4:57pm
post #16 of 28

Thanks everyone! Next week I start another market that is open on Saturdays. It is the original FM of our city. The reopened it again a couple of years ago. I guess it's a pretty cool location with live music and artists. Should be fun.

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Motta Posted 3 Jul 2009 , 5:45pm
post #17 of 28

You had a very elegant display. I'm happy for you that it went well! It's great exposure for you.

p.s. Your son is so handsome.

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sari66 Posted 3 Jul 2009 , 11:39pm
post #18 of 28

Awesome setup and glad you had great success! That helper is handsome <s> Boy won't you have fun when he starts dating! LOL

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maryjsgirl Posted 9 Jul 2009 , 8:48pm
post #19 of 28

I sold everything, but eight cupcakes yesterday!

I had emailed the lady from my local newspapers who write articles about local restaurants, cooks, etc. I hadn't heard from her, but she showed up yesterday to check me out. She took my information, because she is planning a story on the Farmer's Markets in the next couple of weeks and said she may interview me. That was a pretty cool surprise.

I had quite few return customers also. One lady came back for a lemon cupcake, but they were sold out. She said it was, "the best cupcake I've ever had!". Gave my card to quite a few people and had a lot of hits on my website. Received some business cards from Wedding Planners and Caterers. It was a pretty good day.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. I will have to show my son and embarrass him.

icon_wink.gif

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MichelleM77 Posted 9 Jul 2009 , 11:45pm
post #20 of 28

That's great! How much did you take this second time?

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maryjsgirl Posted 10 Jul 2009 , 12:30am
post #21 of 28

Michelle, I took the same amount. I had made more of the cheaper items though like my sugar cookie and Snickerdoodle bars which I can knock out real quick. So I sold more and made a little less. But, there was a lot less waste and I spent less time baking.

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MichelleM77 Posted 10 Jul 2009 , 2:44am
post #22 of 28

Wow, you must be a baking machine!

I'm new to the farmer's market scene and the first day took too much, didn't have a good turn-out (and we closed early due to rain), so had a lot left over. Feeling a bit discouraged, I focused on my main thing (decorated sugar cookies) and also made one other type of cookie. I came home with just two bags left! I did not take nearly what you took, but felt good when I just had two bags (of my fav cookie by the way, so of course they didn't go to waste; ummm, they went right to my waist!) of cookies left.

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__Jamie__ Posted 10 Jul 2009 , 3:11am
post #23 of 28

Great setup! I love it!

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Rebealuvsweets Posted 10 Jul 2009 , 3:26am
post #24 of 28

Awesome setup! Everything looks delicious icon_biggrin.gif Wish I had one of your cupcakes right now....How sweet of your son to help u out. It's a good experience for him. And he sure is a cutie...Glad u did so well....

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maryjsgirl Posted 10 Jul 2009 , 5:48am
post #25 of 28

Thanks ladies!


Michelle, I have added quite a few bars to my menu. They are just so quick and easy to do.

For example I make a sugar cookie bar that bakes in a 13x18 jelly roll type pan. Spread some pink icing on them, some pink sprinkles and then cut them into perfect squares with a plastic bench scraper. I get 24 bars with this and sell them for a dollar each. My cost is a little over $4.

That is great that you sold out of your cookies! Saturday is my first day at a new market. I still don't know how much to take! There are so many variables to think of. Like they are calling for "isolated thunderstorms", it is only four hours unlike the eight hour market I've been doing, plus I don't know if I have competition. But, I've also been told this market is busier and our huge festival will be opening on Saturday also with events walking distance from the market including a parade. I am a little nervous.

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dhccster Posted 10 Jul 2009 , 6:04am
post #26 of 28

Congratulations on your success. Your cupcakes look great. I am glad this turned out well for you. Thanks for posting the pictures, I love getting ideas!

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dhccster Posted 10 Jul 2009 , 6:09am
post #27 of 28

BTW... What is your website address? I would love to look at the rest of your cakes. Thanks!

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cylstrial Posted 10 Jul 2009 , 12:28pm
post #28 of 28

Where you did you buy your plastic cupcake holders? Are they just a plastic cup with a lid turned over? Just wondering because they look great!

Thanks!

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