I Think I Found Space But I Need Advice

Business By cocorum21 Updated 4 Jan 2007 , 4:03am by littlecake

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cocorum21 Posted 26 Dec 2006 , 4:00pm
post #1 of 18

I just got back from Michael's and out of the corner of my eye I saw an empty window with a little sign. I went by and the building is on a major highway. It sits sideways on the highway( I don't know if that makes sense). But the building is really nothing all the great to look at but there is a small salon and a couple of other businesses and there is a restaurant next door. I pulled into the spot right in front of the door and got out to look inside. There was trash on the grassy(weeds) area right in front but the space looks perfect! I would obviously have to paint and put down flooring because there is carpet and make it my own special spot. I think it's about 500sq feet

I don't want a real bakery where people would just walk in. It would be by appointment only. I was really into the idea that I could have people come to my home for consultations and then use a church kitchen to bake. But now that I see this I think this is great. I see the potential it has but I'm just concerned that people would come for their consult and see what I saw when I got out of my car and be uneasy because of the look of the property. This place looks like something that I could definately afford but I don't want to rent it if people wouldn't feel comfortable coming there. I guess I could put a couple of potted plants in front of my door to make it nicer.

So the question... What do you guys think? Does the appearance of the building contribute to people buying from you?

17 replies
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RisqueBusiness Posted 26 Dec 2006 , 5:16pm
post #2 of 18

you can always ask the landlord to spruce up the outside a bit..our if you can work out a deal with him to deduct what you spend off the rent.

I had a great deal with a former apartment landlord..anything that I needed to fix that was under 50.00 I was to go ahead and get it done..and just deduct it from the rent and send her the bill...anything over that I had to call her...

if you park in the spot again...see how much traffict the restaurant and the salon have...those could be your best first customers.

You can use the salon as your test kitchen..lol

everytime I make a new recipe I made batches of cupcakes or cake trimings and bring them to the front desk ...they know to tell me if it's a hit or miss...

usually if you use a doctored cake mix to make your cupcakes..make very mini ones so you can get many ...lol...you are spending like less than 5 bucks...

and you may get a few orders from the women.

You can also talk to the restaurant and see if they do desserts...that maybe you can make..if you get a steady order from them for 3.5.6 cakes a week!! well...

See where I'm going? I'm excited for you!

you can email me direct if you want to talk more..

the most important thing is to make sure that the space is not vermin infested..it wouldn't be cost effective to try to rent a place like that..

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littlecake Posted 26 Dec 2006 , 5:52pm
post #3 of 18

you really can make a "silk purse outta a sow's ear"...

it's amazing what some paint...some shutters and nice signage will do.

i always like getting the dumpy cheapo place...fixin it real cute and keeping the rent cheap.

whats the outside of the building made of?...does it have windows?

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cocorum21 Posted 26 Dec 2006 , 6:52pm
post #4 of 18

Thanks Risque and Littlecake

I drove around some more to find other spaces and didn't find any but I went back to this one and it has two windows plus the glass door. I guess I must have been blind with excitement because it wasn't a restaurant next door it was a car place icon_eek.gif lol... There really is a salon I swear there is!

The facing of the building is ok now that I look it's the overhang part (where the sign would go) is cracked and falling apart, I think that can be covered. I could always ask about putting a little grass in there. I think maybe I'm making up excuses out of fear. Now after going back a second time I think I can make it work.

I am going to call tomorrow morning to ask about the rent.
I'll check and make sure there are no vermin!

I was thinking if I can rent this place I would love to make nice with the salon people because I'm sure they will be doing someone wedding hair someday and that would be perfect! I called my DH and I'm going to take him by when he gets home from work.

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mypastrychef Posted 26 Dec 2006 , 7:06pm
post #5 of 18

Sound just like my first spot, except we had a hardware store on one side and a drum shop on the other. It was a dump with huge craters in the parking lot and all that. But I saw the potential and $300 month was right up my alley. She paid for the faux hardwood linoleum flooring and we painted etc.

It was a great starter spot which we eventually outgrew.

However, I always did think it was the reason why some people didn't keep their wedding appointments. I thought they saw the outside and kept driving. Maybe a few did feel that way. But I have been located in a beautiful old house which was our tea room and people didn't keep the appointments there either. So I think people just do that.

I would/did jump on the opportunity to fullfilling my goal/dream.
You should investigate more and ask the neighboring businesses about the building if you area serious. Jump in!

You will need to decide where revenue will come from and then grab that market.

mpc

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baergarivera Posted 26 Dec 2006 , 7:11pm
post #6 of 18

Dear Cocorum 21,

First of all if you are Good Which you are, people will come to you no matter where you are. If they love your work they will come. Have you ever seen the tv show design on a DIME. lol. Well hit the joans fabrics and pictures stores. Go to your local chamber of commerce and see if they can help you. But first you must speak to your landlord and see if he is willing to help you clean the place out. Remember When starting something new it does take time, but don't lose hope. I am sure you will be fine. I am so exited for you and wish you all the best. P.S Make sure to post a picture of your bakery on cc/ I am diying to the the same I am just really scare. You see I life in CT and things are so expensive, but enoge about me. Wishing you all the best. P.S. If this is in your heart you will make it. thumbs_up.gif

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cocorum21 Posted 27 Dec 2006 , 4:23pm
post #7 of 18

I think I am going to die. I just called the phone # of the rental company and they are closed until January 2nd. How am I supposed to make it til then. I need to know either way right now! My DH thinks it's going to be expensive even if it is a crappy building because it's on a major highway. I'm so bummed I left a message just so they know that I am really interested. I also figured out why there was trash in front of the building. A couple of spaces are rented to a night club/bar. I didn't realize what it was when I went there was no one there. But maybe I could market something with them somehow. Well I don't want to dwell on it I still have to wait to see if it will all work out. This would be a great way to start the new year!

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Sugar_Plum_Fairy Posted 27 Dec 2006 , 4:38pm
post #8 of 18

Hi Cocorum.

I'm so excited for you. I hope it all works out the way you want it to. I feel for you - about havin to wait to find out the cost/info. As soon as you do find out, let us know either way.

By the way, are you in NJ? I can't remember for sure.

Good luck.

-Grace

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littlecake Posted 27 Dec 2006 , 5:42pm
post #9 of 18

oh man!!!
why does this kinda stuff always happen?

i hate the waiting and wondering too!

you might be surprised at the rent....the place i'm renting now...(tho not cheap to me)....is alot cheaper than other places on the very same road.

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cocorum21 Posted 27 Dec 2006 , 6:07pm
post #10 of 18

Well I drove around and I called another commercial rental company and they have space available but it's 1000 sq ft. @ $1100 which is out of my price range but it gives me hope because that's almost $1 per sq ft. And he says that one of the spaces was used by a catering company so he knows the building owner is open to my type of business. He also said that it's going to be hard to find a building that will accept me because of the liability they would have to carry. Another bummer. icon_sad.gif
But my DH said that I can ask if they will divide the space on the first building because there were two doors on that space so it must have been two seperate spaces at one point so that's good. I can work in a small space. I'll work anywhere at this point as long as I can get a license. icon_rolleyes.gif

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RisqueBusiness Posted 27 Dec 2006 , 7:42pm
post #11 of 18

lol, your enthusiasm is contagious..I've been out looking for larger places too!!

if I'm paying 2g's for 300 sq ft...then I can go a little down in neighborhood quality and pay the same rent for 1,000 sq ft!

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mypastrychef Posted 27 Dec 2006 , 8:26pm
post #12 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by RisqueBusiness

lol, your enthusiasm is contagious..I've been out looking for larger places too!!

if I'm paying 2g's for 300 sq ft...then I can go a little down in neighborhood quality and pay the same rent for 1,000 sq ft!




OMG!! Risque!!
Your cakes are so pretty, you have so much talent and...your business needs to be out where people can come into a shop (even if it is special order or appointment only) and appreciate what you have to offer. You definitely need to get out of that location and find a location more suited & cost effective to this type of business. You can draw revenue from so many different demographics.
I pay $738mo for 1780sf and I am buying the building. I did get a really good deal, but I was patient and negotiated. Before I bought this building I was paying $1736mo for 1736sf.
mpc

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littlecake Posted 27 Dec 2006 , 10:34pm
post #13 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by RisqueBusiness

lol, your enthusiasm is contagious..I've been out looking for larger places too!!

if I'm paying 2g's for 300 sq ft...then I can go a little down in neighborhood quality and pay the same rent for 1,000 sq ft!




the place i bought is in a "seedier" part of town than where i'm renting...

but i noticed while i was over there working on it today, the biz next door had a huge amount of people comming and going....so i'm thinking the side of town doesn't matter.

just my opinion....but i think it would be more important to have a place where you can easily get wedding cakes out the door.

you are WAY to talented to have that limitation on you....

this would be the perfect time...wedding cake season starts in a few months.

thumbs_up.gifthumbs_up.gifthumbs_up.gif

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RisqueBusiness Posted 27 Dec 2006 , 10:36pm
post #14 of 18

little cake..I'm seriously considering it...!!

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katy625 Posted 29 Dec 2006 , 12:04am
post #15 of 18

A question......Does the space your looking at have a "kitchen" or do you take the space then add your counterspace, oven, fridge etc??

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littlecake Posted 3 Jan 2007 , 11:06pm
post #16 of 18

WELL???????

did you ever go look at the place?

inquiring minds want to know! detective.gif

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cocorum21 Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 1:24am
post #17 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by littlecake

WELL???????

did you ever go look at the place?

inquiring minds want to know! detective.gif




Actually yes I did go look at the space. It was actually 1200 sq ft not 500. It was a really good price for the space but still more than what I am looking to pay right now. My DH said that maybe I should just try to buy the equipment I need now that way when I do find a space I will be ready to set up. And in 6 months start to look again and see if the space is still available. I thought it was a good suggestion but I am hoping that it is still available in 6-9 months.

I called the health department today and tomorrow the lady is going to give me a print out of licensed kitchens in my area so I am going to try that.

I'm not giving up! icon_biggrin.gif

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littlecake Posted 4 Jan 2007 , 4:03am
post #18 of 18

getting the equipment beforehand does sound like a great idea!

i got about half my stuff used and saved alot of money.

well keep us posted!

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