I'm interested in starting up a Gift shop that includes a small cafe in a small town space that is located near a Prep School & several small businesses. It is also a residential area, but doesn't really have a downtown. I have extensive experience in the retail operations/buying area, but none in the food industry, except for being a good cook/baker. Any ideas on merging the 2 ideas together? For the cafe part, I would plan on pre-made specialty salads, soups, baked goods and beverages. There is a local pizza/sub shop but that is it for available food options. I wondered if the licensing/codes vary for pre-made foods vs. prepared at the moment. I would make the food there but have ready in to go recycled containers, with a few small tables. Any advice is appreciated.
Amy

Sounds like there may be opportunity for a catering business for subs/sandwiches, something opposite of pizza/subs and healthy but quick to go. Some questions with financials though:
How many people live in this small town?
There is only 1 restaurant/pizza in the whole town or is that just in the area you are thinking of opening up?


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I don't want to start off w/catering, but who knows. Town size is about 2200 people and yes there is only a pizza place and a diner open until 2/3 o'clock. There are a couple of convenient stores that also have sandwiches & fried goods.



>Sounds like there may be opportunity for a catering business
>for subs/sandwiches, something opposite of pizza/subs and
>healthy but quick to go. Some questions with financials
>though:
>How many people live in this small town?
>There is only 1 restaurant/pizza in the whole town or is that
>just in the area you are thinking of opening up?
>
>
>http://businessstartuplessons.blogspot.com/
>Free Online Business Start Up Resources