Ok, this one is going to sound odd, but here goes: With the Florida legislature making idiotic decisions and the tourism causing problems and just our general unhappiness with central Florida, Peter and I are thinking about relocating to another part of the country. Eventually, we would like to open a cake studio/retail supply shop for cake decorators.
Our question is this: Is there a need for such in any part of the country? We're considering several options now but thought we'd appeal to you folks to see what your thoughts were.
Paul & Peter
How about Las Vegas? There are not much retail supply shops in here.
I think the reason there arent too many retail supply stores in Vegas is because the majority of the need for this high-volume market is being filled by the wholesalers.
As far as I know, we have nothing in Ma. A cake supply store would be a dream come true! The Cape would be nice but I'm not sure of the demand there.. Maybe the suburbs of Boston? We are able to have licensed residential kitchens so there are a lot of home bakers who could use a studio/store besides Michaels! The winters are horrid, but the rest of the year is nice! 
There are so many facets in making a decision to move. Seems like it would be a good idea to narrow it down to a few places you think suits you both and then find out if there is a need for your biz. Make sense? Seattle is great but can you handle cooler weather, casual clothing, liberal values, great food, and awful traffic?
Paul & Peter,
Please come to VT.
Here it is pretty easy to get established, we don't have a lot of supply places here, and I would love some company!!!
We are able to have home based bakery businesses, and there are plenty of opportunities.
Just a thought.
Donna
I second the vote for VT! We are desperate here for some cake supply stores. The weather, however, might be different than you're used to...
mommicakes, where in VT are you? I'm in Montpelier.
there arent any cake suppliers in SC that i know of.. i've had to get my sister in VA ship me stuff.. so stay int he south and come to SC! 
Ah, Vermont!!!! My grandfather had a camp on Sunrise Lake between Fair Haven and Orwell. I'm originally from the Albany, NY area and Peter is from the Chicago suburbs. Snow is not a problem for us. In fact, when they go "Burrrrr!!!!" down here at 60 degree weather, we scoff and wear our short sleeve shirts proudly!!!! LOL
Paul
We do have a couple of places here in Sacramento CA but certaintly could use more variety..beautiful area...2 hours to anywhere you'd like to go whether it's the beach or the snow, surfing or camping. Less than that to get to San Francisco. Humid in the summer like FL but you'd be use to that.
Iowa!! We have no strict laws abpit in home cake decorators. We definitely need cake supply places and Des Moines has been in the top 10 cities to start a business in and live in. 
We would welcome you with open arms.
My sister and her husband just relocated here from California. (bad economy out there) They are super happy with what they can get for house and the prices of things.
Paul,
I have been in VT for the past 25+ years and although I squawk about the snow, and cold weather, there isn't anyplace else I would rather be. (except for about 1-2 weeks a year I would like to be in FL to recharge, but HAVE to come back home).
Really the only cake supplies we have around here are from either Joann fab. or Michaels, we are lucky to be not too far from Global Sugar Art though. (he's just across the lake). Everything else has to be online ordered, so someplace that would be centrally located for supplies would be WONDERFUL!!! I know I would frequently visit. So let me know if you do decide to come this way.
Chickadodle: I am over here close to the CT River. My studio is on Main St. in Wells River. I was actually in Montpelier yesterday, where are you???I know that area very well, (used to live in that directions many moons ago.)
I vote Buffalo NY, there are NO cake supply shops here 
We can have licensed home based kitchens, and the real estate s cheap!
Here is a second vote for SC. I lived in Jacksonville, Florida for 13 years and my husband's job moved us to SC. There is very few in the area. I also have to order everything online or go to Walmart. Would love to have you join us.
I live in Arkansas and we have NOTHING except Hobby Lobby and Michaels!!!! I now ya'll are thinking hillbilly, overalls, and and bare feet but MOST of us aren't like that!!LOL I live in the Greers Ferry lake area and it is beautiful!!! We have hot summers and cold winters with on a small amount of actual winter weather usually. Our area is a big retirement area. Cost of living and ease of starting a business would be great for you after Florida. Ya'll come see us now!LOL Good luck in your search!
My husband and I are also looking to leave Florida, we are also in Central Florida and can't take much more. We were looking at going back to Illinios. We have family in New Lenox and it is just a train ride away from Chicago where we are both from. But my sister in law moved to Boston instead of back to chicago and she loves it so now we are debating. Good luck fining a new city!
How about Lexington, Kentucky. There are only Hobby Lobby and Michael's here with what few items they carry. Really hard to find Hi-Ratio shortening.
San Diego has only 2 cake supply stores I'm aware of...that's in a county of millions of people...Something high-end would be nice as both stores are in shady areas and are small!
Iowa!! We have no strict laws abpit in home cake decorators. We definitely need cake supply places and Des Moines has been in the top 10 cities to start a business in and live in.
We would welcome you with open arms.
My sister and her husband just relocated here from California. (bad economy out there) They are super happy with what they can get for house and the prices of things.
I vote Iowa too!! But i'm over in the eastern side by the Quad-cities. So i vote a little further this way. Then you're about 2-1/2 hrs from DesMoines and 3 from Chicago.
The only cake supply stores we have are an isle or two at True Value, Hobby Lobby, or Michael's. (And the True Value's have the best selection because they have more brands than Wilton) I have to order everything online pretty much.
Does anyone have anything good to say about moving to Florida? We're moving there from Detroit next month... although I'm not surprised to hear that some people dislike it, I'm already having reservations about moving, so I would like to hear something positive if possible!!!
I think the Midwest is a wide open market. I know that all CCer's don't post where they are from but I see very few 'professional grade' decorators out of the St. Louis area. Plus I have searched and searched for a cake supply store in St. Louis and Memphis that would carry a great amount of cake supplies such as Satin Ice, pearl molds, gumpaste cutters, etc - and there is nothing besides Hobby Lobby and Michaels. St. Louis is central to all of the upper midwest such as Chicago, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana and more.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Oh, Massachusetts is a great place to relocate. I came here almost 40 years ago and will never leave. I live in the northern part of the state, along the water, almost on the NH border, only an hour from Boston. Yes we need a supply store nearby. You'd love it here.
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