Erica, You say that you want to cater but if there are no events, you'd operate as a restaurant. I don't think you could shut down the restaurant if you had an event and I think you'd want to do both. My ex-sil owns an upscale bistro/bar, has wine & cheese tastings and also caters. She caters to developers of new home developments, has sponsored business/network meetings that she is affiliated with as well as allows corp. parties/showers to come during times that they are closed. If you're not really interested in operating a restaurant, a big undertaking, then offer catering and within the same place offer a meeting place for business executives (you could provide all the meals/snacks/coffee, etc.