Far as I can tell, someone wrote:
>My wife and I are starting a new business and we plan to focus our
>efforts on cookies. This is our first business, and we've found a lot
>of information about recipes, techniques, supplies, locations,
>marketing, licensing, etc.

Before you do anything else, go to http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/ and find an
office of the Small Business Developement Center near you. It's almost
always free, except for a few of the classes, which are less than $25.
You will learn LOTS of stuff you haven't even thought of.

I very strongly recommend them.

>The area that remains the biggest mystery to us is equipment:

I'll tell you about equipment, but read your previous line again. You
THINK equipment is your biggest mystery, which is wrong. The biggest
mystery is not knowing what you don't know. that's whay you need the
SBDC.

Now for some answers.

> - Oven - electric convection

Do you have three phase electric where you want to open? You'll
probably need it. I have an electric convection oven with steam
injection and a rotating rack. It hold a rack with 18 full sized trays.

> - cook top - also electric, due to ventilation limitations

Limitations notwithstanding, the government will most likely tell you
that you HAVE to install ventilation. Do you have a site plan?

> - refrigerator/freezer

Look to Traulsen and True brands. Used ones are all over the place, but
don't buy too old. The coils could break and then it's garbage.

> - commercial dish washer - How do I find one large enough for big
>cookie sheets (or are these usually cleaned by hand?)

For a while, you may want to clean by hand, or pay a kid minimum wage to
do it. Do you have any idea how many trays will need cleaning each day?

> - coffee maker/espresso machine

Go to alt.coffee. Terrific group with very very informed users and lots
of professional shop owners.

Also go to www.coffeegeek.com and and www.coffeekid.com . Also see
http://www.1st-line.com/ and www.wholelattelove.com . Companies like
http://www.sndcoffee.com/ can get you set up with coffee makers, beans
and grinders,. You buy the beans from them, they lend you the
equipment.

Stay away from Coke and Pepsi. They will lend you a free fridge, but
charge you through the nose for the soda. Like 65 cents a bottle. I
bought a fridge on E-bay for less than $500 and buy my soda from
Wal-Mart for 33 cents a bottle.

>In order to minimize our startup costs, I'd like to consider used
>equipment. Is this recommended or is it a bad idea. I've heard there
>are auctions for this sort of stuff. How do I find them? I didn't
>see anything in the newspaper. We're in the New York City area. Can
>I trust the quality/condition?

I bought almost everything in my bagel shop on E-Bay or locally, used.
It helps a lot to do tons of research first.

>Should I also consider renting equipment? Like the coffee/espresso
>machine, in particular?

Dunno where, but ask at alt.coffee. I have a Bezzera which I bought new
on E-Bay for $1400. Works great. You'll also need a coffee grinder for
the espresso.

>I'm also wondering what the good brands are? Are there any particular
>features I should look for? Are there any resources that review or
>compare/contrast this equipment? Like a consumer reports for
>commercial grade equipment?

All on alt.coffee. Try reading the group for a few days and looking at
all the web sites on espresso you can find first. Naturally, they get
bored with repeated questions. Just be polite and friendly and show you
gratitude a bit.

Finally, do you have a business plan? Fully expect to spend more than
double your best guess. I really mean it. More than double.

Have you worked in a bakery? Perhaps you should for a short while. A
coffee shop? Same thing. Go to several shops and buy something to eat.
While there, make a list of every piece of equipment you think you might
need. Get a membership at Costco or Sams Club. See their websites and
explore explore explore. Keep files on each type of equipment. Start
lists of everything you'll possibly need. Paper goods, cups, plates.
napkins, towels, utensils, foils, assorted boxes, assorted bags, plastic
gloves, tray liners, decorative liners, cup lids, etc etc etc. Keep
EXCELLENT lists on spread sheets.

Pretty soon you'll see what I mean about cost over-runs.

Next, go see a baker or two and ask them about government regs and how
they can cost a fortune. You may want to go to another town where they
won't view you as competition. You'll need a three compartment sink and
hand sinks and probably a mop sink. Probably also a grease trap.

Hope this is a start.