Co-opping with a bakery

[bmcglynn]

I've been advised to take my hobby of coffee roasting to the next step into forming a business--meaning I should co-op with a bakery, or café. Does anyone have any experience in doing this? What is the best agreement for both parties? My roaster is a George Foreman Rotisserie converted to a roaster. Not much space needed.

 

[bmcglynn]

A lot of visitors, but not takers?

 

[peterjschmidt]

Find out from your state what it takes for you to legally roast w/ your roaster and sell to a cafe.

Then go talk to bakers and cafe owners.

 

[bmcglynn]

I already have. That's why I am going to talk to bakers and café owners. Just put it out there to see if anyone has co-opped a kitchen before.

 

[PinkRose]

You need to get yourself established as a professional roaster first. Roasting as a hobby on a converted George Foreman Rotisserie probably won't give you much credibility if you approach a bakery or cafe with a co-op proposal.

Are you lookng for a way to get around dealing with the municipal red tape by finding a place that will bring you in and create a roasting area for you in their place of business? Unless you have a good friend who owns a cafe or bakery, I doubt that anyone else would be willing to take the risk.

 

[bmcglynn]

Yes, the plan is to eventually get a genuine roaster and make it official. Yep. Unfortunately, in the great state of Illinois I either co-op, or make the big leap. Trying co-op first. We'll see where it goes. I have a couple places in mind. I'll post what I find.

 

[Redswing]

In my city, coffee roasting can only get the green flag when done in specific zoning areas, namely "light" or "heavy" industrial. That is pretty much away from the scene I'd like to be a part of. There aren't any bakeries or cafes where I could co-op some space even if the owner would be on board.

Don't know if this would apply to you, but it be worth looking into before you shake any hands with some owner who also doesn't know the city code. I've kinda tried to test the waters here to see if anybody else has run into the same dilema, so could you let me know if you find out this isn't a problem for you? I know it can't be everywhere, because you see quite a few cafes out there with visable in-house roasting.

 

[bmcglynn]

Redswing, thanks for your response. I first investigated the Cottage Law here in Illinois and discovered we are the most strict out of any State. I wanted to make sure and called the County food inspector to see if Coffee was prohibited to roast of my home and they said it was. I have a two car garage without any driveway from the previous owner, which would be the perfect spot. It was they who suggested that I co-op with a bakery or café since they already have the certification and sinks needed to handle the food. I didn't really pursue there suggestion until my demand started growing and thought to grow out my base. The capital expense to start a roasting business here is a lot of money. Until my very helpful bean supplier suggested to look into bakeries and cafe's too, I began to think this may not be a crazy idea. I haven't spoken to anyone yet, so, it's difficult to say what will happen. It's easier to speculate than put for the effort. Isn't that what entrepreneurialism about?

 

[peterjschmidt]

The person I bought my roaster from is in a SW suburb of Chicago. He roasted in his attached garage for years, and was inspected by the IL health dept. They told him that since he wasn't selling retail, but only in farmers' markets and to cafes, that the city he is in had no jurisdiction.

 

[bmcglynn]

I don't know how long ago that was, but as of three months ago, I can't do that. When, I first investigated the matter, I found this site: Illinois - Cottage Food Law and when I couldn't believe the restrictions, I called up the County to see if it was true; unfortunately it was. So, onto plan B. I have a perfect set up too. I have a two car garage in the backyard (storage shed), which I can run electricity and heat. Thanks Peter for the response. As I'm writing I'm getting texts for some new orders. I make a delicious mélange Ugandan and Full City+ Guatemalan. Yes, I know it's hard to believe it tastes good from my roaster.

 

[Redswing]

Even though my state has a cottage food law that allows roasting out of your home, my CITY ZONING doesn't allow for it. Have you checked into that? Zoning has been the biggest hangup thus far for me.

 

[bmcglynn]

Well, actually the State dictates all here. What the State says goes. Sorry Peter if my last comment came across snide.

 

[Redswing]

not to keep hammering my point, but do you have that in writing? have you talked to your city planning commissioner? have you applied for a business license? local zoning seems to always have precedence.

 

[icapsulemate]

You are a great man have a powerful idea , hope you can succeed .

 

[bmcglynn]

No, I have not, because the State passes down the laws and the city and county will oblige. I know this sounds strange. If and when I expand to a commercial setting, I will have to abide to local laws and ordinances. I have to comply to the States Law first. Since I contacted them; I'm pretty sure what they dictate goes.