I'm looking at getting in to this bakery, all I need to do is put equipment back in. A cake business just moved out, going back to her old building she was completing some construction after Katrina. This is a 1200 square feet building, I thought it would be great to jump on it. This is my first time opening a bakery, what do I need to do next? From this point how long do you think it will take me to get opened?

How much business do you expect to do...bakery offerings or custom cakes?

I am renting a 1000 sq ft place; I do have a commercial kitchen but my business is primarily retail and classes. I needed the kitchen so I could bake the goods for the classes/parties. I also do LIMITED custom orders. So with that in mind, I.....

1. Rented the space
2. Business license/EIN/insurance
3. Bought oven from craigslist (1/2 size convection, $500)
4. Bought smallest fridge that was NSF ($600 with shipping)-it holds the sour cream, butter, eggs
5. Bought handwashing sink and food prep sink (about $250, Sam's club)
6. Already had 3 compartment sink, but paid plumber to install other 2 sinks and fix the 3 compartment...air gap wasn't big enough ($500)

7. Bought Baker's Rack from Craigslist-$50
8. Made do with my kitchenaids for awhile (I purchased a few for classes), but JUST bought a 10 qt ($1100 with shipping or might have had free shipping...my total was $1100).
9. I had to put in flooring...small space...went cheap...$900
10. Health dept inspection and license...$350 (I actually had health dept do a walk through PRIOR, then write up what needed to be done. I also ran the equipment by him before I purchased it, to make sure it would all be up to code. My guy is super-great, though )

My space has always been used for some sort of food service, so, like your potential place, all the "bones" were there, which GREATLY helps with the cost. Also, since I just bake cakes/cookies, I do not need an expensive hood.

Good luck with your decision...HTH! PM me if you want any other info or if I left anything out. I am pretty free with numbers!