1. Home
  2. Baking Crafts
  3. Birth of a Business, sort of.

Birth of a Business, sort of.

A week ago we were looking into making items in the bakery department of a country store... the deal has fallen apart, but not the dream.

I spoke with my pastor about using the church's kitchen. They have a Southbend gas range with 4 burners, a 12" griddle and a huge oven. They use it about once a month for church suppers. The pastor said they'd like to have pizza parties for the youth and young adult members. He knows I used to make pizza a long, long time ago.

I told him I had intentions of getting two ovens for two different jobs. One a little Baker's Pride DP-2 (electric) two chamber (pizza capable) deck oven for some breads.

I told him I was considering a convection oven that could handle 4 pans like the Moffat E32 (electric) or G32 (gas oven) for general baking.

Since this is a gas kitchen that brings perhaps a gas powered Bakers Pride GP-51 deck oven that's a lot bigger than the DP-2, and $1,000 more. In the price range of the 4 pan electric or electric Moffat I could also get a 5 pan Southbend Bronze Series convection gas oven for about the same price. The only downside to that oven seams to be no steam. Originally I was only investigating 208 volt electric ovens as this is what the store could support.

Anyhow, the pastor said I could use the kitchen for a nominal fee to cover utilities. I'd certainly be welcome to donate a $2,300 convection oven and a $2,200 (electric) or $3,100 (gas) deck oven. If I took a $5,400 write off, this would certainly impact my income taxes and I'd be helping my church.

The other downside of working in the church would be that while I could create a bakery of considerable capacity for a relatively modest investment, I'd lose the retail location to sell my goods.

I'm at an impass. What would you do? Thanks.

Reply to
Sailing Fan
Loading thread data ...

Are there places locally that would resell your baked goods? Coffee shops, luncheonettes, small restaurants or diners, bookstores?

Reply to
Blanche Nonken

I would look elsewhere. Being a former church organist I can tell you that church politics can turn in unpredictable directions at a moment's notice. There will be someone who doesn't like you using the church for personal gain. There will be others who see that kitchen as their domain and you as an invader. Someone will bring up the idea of liability. Something will go missing (or be misplaced) and you will be guilty until proven otherwise. Who pays if the drain gets clogged the day after the church dinner? What happens to your business when the church decides to have food service at their two week long vacation bible school next year? You need to find someplace that is going to be reliable. If you do use the church, you need to get an attorney involved. There needs to be a lease and a written understating about how the utility charges are to be determined and many other factors.

Reply to
Vox Humana

Get a lease. Have a property lawyer look it over.

You don't want to be kicked out after buying them a new oven.

Reply to
Fresh Monniker

Make sure they don't object to devil's food cake.

Reply to
Vox Humana

Hire a salesperson to sell it to other stores in the area.;-)

Reply to
<rgoldman

I'd do more homework. The pastor may let you use the kitchen, but the Board of Health may not. When you sell prepared foods you come into a whole different world and you are a commercial operation. There will be requirements for storage of ingredients, sanitation, prep areas, packaging, transportation of the cooked goods. You may need to take a course in safe food preparation.

Don't spend a penny until you know what the requirements are and if they can be met. Ed

Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

I appreciate all the good advice. My pastor is a nice guy. We are about the same age. I was going to community college all day and making pizza

4-5 nights a week some 20 years ago. He had just graduated from college. He was a regular at the pizzaria I worked for. I used to call him pastor then, but he technically wasn't a pastor yet. I > A week ago we were looking into making items in the bakery department of
Reply to
Sailing Fan

The church should consult its attorney - allowing you to use its facilities for a profit making business might have implications for the church's own tax status.

Reply to
Louis Cohen

Business is business . if you don't do it the right way there is no such thing as friends in business. learn the lesson and survive

Reply to
<rgoldman

Your friendship is irrelevant as is everything you posted above. I'm not trying to be mean, but just pointing out that you need to base your business decision on rational, tangible facts and objective reasoning. Your "friendship" with the pastor might be seen as something unsavory by people looking for trouble which is a favorite pastime of some churchgoers.

Reply to
Vox Humana

Your pastor is kind-hearted, but does not know the law.

I'd say there is a great chance that what you want to do is completely illegal.

I own a bagel shop. Perhaps if I re-name it Church of the Living Bagel (Yeah, I know, bagels are jewish...) I could get away without paying taxes.

If you catch my drift, you'll understand why churches are not centers for commerce. (Except Bingo, which makes them a center for legalized gambling.)

Reply to
Petey the Wonder Dog

I am in a similar situation. A local Catholic School has closed and they have left an empty certified kitchen. I am trying to see if I can make a relationship work. I can anticipate problems with certain individuals who "take over" the world and have absolutely no concept on how a commercial kitchen is run ... drying dishes out of the dish machine using tea towels keeping cakes in the deep freeze for many many many years etc etc. They also choose to ignore any of my expertise (certified Food Service Sanitation Instructor). I also ran into an event happening on a Saturday evening and being yelled at by an elderly woman saying I ruined her event happening the following Thursday... (the premises had been booked by my clients months before they were paying and had this happened - her event a coffee and cake for

10 seniors again the following Thursday!!). All these things can crop up. Establish a schedule. Post your times as early as possible. then see how it goes .... DON'T Donate the stoves YOU Will regret it. You may find that business is such that your kitchen is better or you may find that projections aren't what you expected.....
Reply to
John LaBella

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.