Hello!!
I live in N.C. and was wondering if anyone else out there is also from N.C. and has started their own cake decorating business at home. I have looked all over the the internet about N.C. laws, Ive looked on the secratary of state website, the N.C.'s website and I cant find nothing.

If anyone out there has a cake business here and would like to help me out, I would be never ending grateful!!!!

Thank you all so much!!!!!

Hi Crystal! I live in NC but I don't have my own business because there are very strict laws. I was told you have to go through the food and Agriculture Dept. As soon as I find my letter from them I will send it to you! Where in NC are you?

Hey. Im in Gaston County. What laws have you heard for us in N.C.
I was really hoping that it wasnt going to be that bad.
I just read another post for Georgia. They had a new law that passed, they can sell up to 5,000 a year and no rules but 1. Thay have to put a label that says homemade no inspection required.
That would be great to at least give you plenty of time to get started.
I would appreciate the letter or any other info you have.
Where are you from in N.C.?

Crystal & tlnewman: It's my understanding that you can't have a commerical business in your home without having inspections from the health department and that you are not allowed any indoor pets. However, you can apparently have a cake decorating business IF you DON'T advertise (no newspapers, etc., but you can leave business cards all over the place). That's just the little I know about it. I would LOVE to advertise and even make a few dummy cakes to leave at places but that's considered advertising as well. I'd love to know the exact particulars of this whole NC law thing. Thanks, Ladies!
Ellen

Look up the Dept of Ag website for NC. You will need to find the number to M. Woody. He is great at answering all your questions! I live on base so I have to go through them to get certified, but it is pretty easy from what he said to get certified. A few things I do remember is
- no indoor pets (fish & birds on another floor are excluded)
- seperate sink for hand washing (close bathroom is fine)
- seperate storage for cake items & supplies
- dish drainer (no towel drying)
- thermometers in fridge and freezer ( section off one shelf - labeled - cake items only if a seperate unit is not available)
- no decorative items in kitchen or work area
- no storage in the garage if used to store vehicles, chemicals, etc

Pretty basic stuff. Hope this helps. I know one of the ladies in the Raliegh/Durham area just got licensed. You might find her thread in this section, but I cant remember the name of the thread.

BellaRosa

Thank you to everyone for the tips so far. I did find a website from another post that helps out alot as far as the state is concerned. It doesnt sound to bad except the pets thing. I have a bird, but he doesnt fly, and a dog thats in and out.
The website address is
www.agr.state.nc.us/fooddrug/homebiz.htm

I would still love to hear from anyone that has actually gone through the whole process.

Like how often are you inspected, are there any little things to know or big things to know.
Exactly what kind of labeling do you need and can you advertise and/ or pass out cards?

Surely there is someone else here in N.C. that has the answers. I would truly appreciate it.
Thanks to you all.

You might PM Loriesmom, she is in WAke County but has gone through the inspection process. I'm sure she could give you some insight. I've heard that our state is not that bad for the inspection.
Good luck!
Leslie

I am in Charlotte and went through the inspection with Dept. of Ag and it wasn't as bad as i thought. HOWEVER, I have since decided to open a retail store and in the process of finding out what i had to do there I found out that just because the Dept. of Ag gives the ok you may still not be legal. For example, in Charlotte you cannot fun ANY kind of food business from home - period, end of discussion.

I was very surprised to find this out because when I orginally decided to do this legally from home, I called the Dept of Health and they told me I fell under the Dept of Ag so I called them. They confirmed I did indeed fall under them and we set an inspection date - which I passed. So I officially opened for business.

Business took off and now I have more to do than I can continue to do from home so I rented a retail space and started that process (that is a WHOLE other rant session!!!). This is when I found out from the City/County offices that no matter what the Dept. of Ag said I COULD NOT RUN ANY TYPE OF FOOD BUSINESS FROM A RESIDENCE.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, and maybe the city/county of Gaston is different but I would definately ask someone from every possible department to make sure you get the OK from all of them.

Thanks ncdessertdiva and montibellesbakery.

Thanks for the info.

Monti,
After you had started at home did you run into any problems before finding that out?

But anyways what did the inspection of your home consist of.

Thanks

Too much to type, but anyone who want to chat about it can call me at 704.525.0025 and i'll be happy to talk to you.

Hey ncdessertdiva,

I cant seem to find Loriesmom.
Could you tell me how to find her.

Thanks

CrystalsCakes5,
I'm sorry I had her nickname wrong, it is loriemoms! I believe if you put that in the search for members, she should come up and you can PM her from there.
Hope this helps.
Leslie

You can search for her under the Memberlist category. I just tried it and brought her up.
Leslie

Hi CrystalCakes - I am, too, planning to have my own bakery in NC. Even though I'm still living in FL, my house in Johnston County won't finish building until this September. I've contact the Dept of Arg and they will be happy to come over to my house to check my new garage and discuss things over like what do I requires to have, things, rules, etc. before my hubby add counter, sink, and stuff.

From what I understand, you must check with county, city, and your HOA (home owner association, if you have one). Dept of Arg isn't the only one you can get approval from.

Good luck with your business. Let me know how it go for you.

Thanks sufergina.

I will and you let me know what happens with you also.

See ya!

CrystalsCakes, where did you see that post? Could you find it and post the link? I would love to know more about that. I am in GA and work full-time, unfortunately, but would like to start doing a few cakes from home. Eventually, I think I'd like to have a shop, but that is a ways down the road.
Thanks!

Chefgirl,

I am not sure what post I found it on but have you tried the link above and read that website.

It has a little info but still does not tell you enough.

Thanks

Thanks CrystalsCakes, I sifted through the forum and found it.

CrystalCake - I'll be happy to let you know!

CrystalCake and ChefGirl - here's the link on Dept of Arg Home-Based Business - it's very helpful. ChefGirl, since you're living in GA, each State have different laws, so be sure to check with your own State to make sure. Good luck

http://www.agr.state.nc.us/fooddrug/homebiz.htm

Hi everyone,
I don't have my own business. I wish I would have someday.
But I am from NC too. And I am very happy to see you all.

Nitu

Nitu - Welcome! It's great to see someone like you from NC! CakeCentral is a great place of learning, sharing, and more. Nice meeting you "here"!

Thanks, thank you very much, surfergina.

Nitu

Hello to everyone.

Nice to hear from all you N carolinians.

Welcome, CrystalCake! What area you're from? I'm going to be living in Clayton, Johnston County. Nice meeting you here!

Hi to all- I am also from NC. I have been doing 6-15 a week cakes out of my home every week now. I did advertsie by business cards and make sure to tell everyone that calls that I make all my cakes from home.
I had not considered the inspection thing because I had no idea how fast this would take off. I am considering enclosing a space in my home and I guess I will have to look into this. I can remember my hometown cakelady doing everyones cakes from her house and she had kids, dogs and bunnies running around there!! Times have changed I guess.
I would however love to know where any NC people get their supplies? I am having a hard time finding things in my area.
Thanks

marcimang, where are you in NC? There are a lot of North Carolinians that visit this site and could help you find local suppliers. Most of us go to Micheals or AC Moore's but there are also local bakeries everywhere that might carry cake supplies as well. Here in Durham we have Sugar Plums.
Good luck!
Leslie

Hi marcimag! welcome! When I was in my new hometown (my house is building as of right now), I found cake supplies at Michaels craft store and North Carolina Paper Company in Clayton, NC. Good luck

Hi there I am in Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area. I am using AC Moore and Michaels right now but I would like to buy in bulk- powder sugar, extracts and stuff like that. I tried Sam's club powder sug but had a hard time with it- It seems to stay so wet and doesn't take color well. Oh Well let me know what you all think. I am going to try to find that place in Clayton- I think it would be a hour or so from here.
Great talking to you

I buy most of my powedered sugar from either Sam's or BJ's and haven't had any trouble with coloring it. Good luck!
Leslie

Hey ncdessertdiva, you are very near from my place.
I used to stay in Durham but now in CARY.

Glad to know about Sugar Plums.

Thanks
Nitu