Well I'm getting all my ducks on a row for my inhome shop. I passed the initial health dept check, yipee!
I also had codes out and a couple other official people. They are very particular about NOT having anyone come to my house and take a cake out. I can have consults in but no cakes going out with them. I can't have anything that resembles a retail store. Ok, so now I will have to make a lot of deliveries or meet people down the street at a local park for pick ups. Do you think the customers will think I'm crazy to meet them at a park for thier cake? Part of me feels like a "cake dealer" selling cake out of the back of my van.
Anyone with this same situation? I think I'll just lay low and make sure the city is not bothering with me anymore then allow some pickups.
Thanks.
Cake dealer ...hehe... we do talk alot about cake addiction here
Seriously, just explain to your clients what and why, and they will understand. And laying low will work just fine as long as no one gets mad at you. I have been unlicensed and laying low for nearly 20 years. I've never had anyone even ask about a license or complain about people picking up cakes at my house. I have delivered only about 20 cakes total out of over 1800, so my driveway is sometimes very busy
Take a breath, it will be fine!
Seems to me that picking up a cake does not a store front make. However, you want to stick with your regulations or risk losing the license so we need to think something up, huh? Explain to your customers the rules that you have to comply with and ask them if they prefer meeting you down the street or paying for delivery. Give them the choice.
I know we all are funny about other people handling our cakes, but maybe you might consider a very responsable high school or college student for delivering cakes?
Oh Dear God - that is ridiculous! Not that I think anyone would mind but what a hassle..... I guess I am a bit of a rule-breaker at heart but I would think having the occasional person stop by to pick up a cake is ok.
It was my understanding that they were trying to discourage the constant traffic of a regular B & M business... like cars parked up and down the street, complaints from the neighbors, etc....
Unless you are having a steady stream of customers coming for pick-ups, I can't see how it would make that much of a difference...unless you have a yukky neighbor who knows this law well... then you might have a problem on your hands. I am lucky to have great neighbors surrounding me - it sure does stink when there is drama/stress in the neighborhood!
So, let's see:
The locals do not want customers coming "taking cakes out of your home". Does this mean that you can take cakes to their cars which are parked - or double parked - outside your front door, or is that included in the term taking them out of your home. It seems that they are trying to discourage you from running your business. Look deeper into the rules and see exactly how they will interpret them.
Theresa
Hi all,
Thanks for the ideas. I like the idea of asking if they want to meet me someplace or pay for delivery. I live in belton Mo. (just outside kc)
I think mostly it would not be a problem to have people there. I intend to have my closest neighbors over when I open just to show them what I'm doing so they don't think I'm suddenly opening a crack house. I would have less traffic than a home daycare would overall, so I'm hoping that approach would help. + asking them to talk to me first if they have issues. If city hall is not contacted they may never know.
I'm not one for getting to know my neighbors. Bad habbit I have and I don't do much yard work really to get out there and visit. Maybe this will break the ice. I've only been here for a year adn they all seem nice enough even when I had to complain about one of thier dogs getting out and terrorizing the neighborhood.
I guess it will all go well enough. I just don't want to rick my licence after all this work.
thanks, SHerrie
I have jsut one comment....please choose a public place to meet your clients. A park just sounds....dangerous to me. Perhaps a store parking lot or a local coffee shop.
Just a thought....
Good luck,
Julia
I feel for you....where I am I also cannot have "pick-ups" at my home. I have to deliver them and connot in any way resemble a retail sore or bakery from the outside due to zoning in a residential area. I am getting inspected in the next few weeks for a residential kitchen. Good luck in your new venture.
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