Petey the Wonder Dog > wrote in message >. ..
> 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.
Thanks for the link to SBA. We do have our business plan and we're
seeking all the advice we can get.
According to local city laws, we can get away without ventilation if
we have electric instead of gas. I don't think our products will
suffer from a non-gas oven, so I think this is the way we are going to
go. In particular, can you recommend some good brand names for ovens?
We're still trying to locate the space, but we're setting aside money
for electric work, plumbing, etc since the space is likely to not be
set up for a kitchen.
Thanks for the tips.
Marc & Jennifer