Thoughts for the bakery

[hatman]

Location: I'm liking the idea of New Brunswick. It's close to home, less expensive than NYC, and the large college campus should provide a socially conscious customer base.

Back room: The back needs to have more than the standard amenities. Locker rooms with showers. Mail boxes (so everyone can have a physical mailing address). A break room with wifi and at least one computer.

Roof: I was thinking solar panels (and there might still be room for those, depending on the building), but it occurs to me that a roof garden might be a better choice. Grow fresh herbs for use in the baking, and perhaps some to sell. Will have to look into regulations governing that sort of thing.

Hours: If it's going to be built with college customers in mind, it'll have to have extended hours. Insomnia Cookies does good business in NYC making good cookies all day and well into the night. Multiple shifts are in order.

Government, etc.: Once I decide on a location, I need to get in touch with government offices. See if there are subsidies for hiring certain people and how I'd need to structure the business so that I'd be allowed to do that kind of targeted hiring. Should also get in touch with the mayor's office just to develop a working relationship. Also going to have to look into health care plans, options, and costs. Oh, and getting a kosher certification.

Other people: Need to remember to get in touch with Lee, the former owner of the Gaston Avenue Bakery. And see if I can reestablish contact with CC. Should also see if I can work with other businesses in the area, like the Thomas Sweet candy and ice cream store or the Stuff Your Face pizza place.

Name: I had a bunch of ideas. Still considering. But I had a new thought today.

"Rocky Road" although more traditionally associated with ice cream can apply to certain brownies, as well. And it represents both the idea of dessert and of helping people along a difficult path.

Other thoughts I had for the name:

Rising Tide
Dignity
Home Maker
Tikkun (as in Tikkun Aulam, a Hebrew phrase meaning "(projects to) fix the world")
Second Chance
Pennan, Inc. (Not because it has anything to do with baking, but it's what I always told myself I'd name my company if I ever founded one. Maybe it can be the holding company or something, rather than the name of the bakery itself.)
First Story (the entry to a home and the beginnings of a new tale)
Gingerbread House (built from baked goods)
Uplifting (helping people up and increasing happiness of all around)
Rising Dough
Street Smarts
Home Sweet Home
Trampoline (it's what's there at the bottom to help you bounce back)
Sherlock Home (which might be a better name for something associated with the bakery, down the road, assuming we call it...)
Baker Street or Baker Street Irregulars (because baking + street + employing street urchins to do good + literary reference)
Karma
Spoons (you are all familiar with Spoon Theory, right?)
Baked Goods

Any thoughts? What names are good or bad? What am I missing? What else should I be pondering?

Comments

[hatman]

I very much appreciate it. However I may joke about things, I don't actually know everything. Especially about this stuff. Also: I did ask advice, but consider it a standing question. I may not always agree with what you have to say, but this sort of perspective (intelligent, respectful, and informed) is always appreciated.

Quality is very much key, yes. Not so sure about messaging, though. Everyone says their stuff is awesome. Having an additional draw (so long as it's properly presented) seems like a good thing to me to help us stand out. Something like Chipotle might also work: They advertize fast quality food, but once you get in (as you're waiting in line) they have further posters explaining their commitment to sustainable organic farming.

I have to admit I don't know much about gluten free. I know a few people who need it, but I don't know what it takes to do it, how the stuff comes out, how many people in our area want or need it, or how that phrase would impact those who don't need it (but are used to that sort of thing meaning less taste). But it certainly seems like it could be worthwhile. I'll have to look into it.

Ergonomics and style are important, yes. I want things to be comfortable and welcoming. For everyone - in front of and behind the counter.

Thanks for your considered thoughts! :)

[shippen_stand]

The Chipotle model is interesting, but remember that organic/sustainable is cool, and people who are homeless are potentially scary to some people.

About the bakery I mentioned, they don't make a big deal out of being gluten free. They make good products that people think are tasty, and a smaller sign tells you that they are all gluten free. Goooood cupcakes pretty much sell themselves.

[hatman]

Yes, I know. That will have to be handled delicately. I don't have to use the word "homeless," really. I'm thinking of opening things up to more categories of people who have trouble finding jobs through no fault of their own. I'll keep a slot open for DVRS (the state's agency in charge of finding employment for people with disabilities), for example.

Also, I'm thinking of having an open kitchen.

Like I said, I'll have to look into gluten free baking. I know pretty much nothing about it. But it also makes me think that maybe I should make the whole thing a nut-free facility.