what would the ideal bakery be for you?

what type of goodies would it carry? no doughnuts, sorry, don't want to do the deep fry thing.

would it offer breakfast? what? lunch? what?

what would the decor be like? snobby? yuppy? old fashion? retro?

would you offer more to sip than coffee/tea/hot chocolate (and not that instant stuff either)water. ok, got to have expresso, if anything for me, and french press...no lattes, mocha chino starbuck a roonie toonie type drinks.

would the baked goods have an international flair? what kind? (most important what is the recipe?)

i figured this would be a great forum to ask, because of the international flavor. i don't want Esolata to be another place thought of as a starbuck copy cat.

when i was a kid there were neighborhood bakeries. it is a lost thing here in the us. dunkin doughnuts and krispy cream just don't cut it. and the grocery store stuff, some places it is ok, but it is not the same.

Esalota already is a LLC company here in Va. working on the business plan, trying to find equipment. and raise capital, but i think we need to hear other folks ideas so we can perhaps blend them to make it work.

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4 replies since 31st March 2009 • Last reply 31st March 2009

Reply #1:

It'd have mini pastries and scones, muffins, maybe crepes? Tea, maybe mock cocktails like shirley temples? Breakfast and lunch - brunch! The decor would have a vintage/retro antique feel. Records and lace kinda deal. Maybe a bit of Francesca Lia Block flair to it? mmmmhmmm...that sounds pretty tasty to me. Happy

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Reply #2:

Maybe this is selfish, but the bakeries here that sell vegan stuff alongside their regular baked goods seem to have the best reviews, quality, and word-of-mouth promotion.

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Reply #3:

Actually, while I'm a meat-eater myself, I always give props (and business) to places that offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free alternatives. (Doesn't have to include all three, but I do like if SOME alternatives are in there.) So I don't think that's selfish at all.

I've got a thing for cupcakes. They're all the rage right now, but they're also damn tasty! I'd actually like to find a bakery that offers MINI cupcakes. Not the standard size, they're really teeny, usually made in a tartlet pan. It would probably take a good 4 to 5 mini ones to make up a whole cuppy. To me, that means I get to try different varieties at once!

Editing to add: Also, if you could dedicate a wall or two to local artists, that would TOTALLY rock!

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Reply #4:

I would like it if had lots of comfy chairs and those arranged nicely, along with smaller tables that could seat 2 to 3 people. Any kind of dessert sounds fine, like Ms pants mentioned cupcakes. Yum!

I think if you created an atmosphere in which people could feel comfortable in, people might enjoy that as well. I know i enjoy any place that allows me to sit for hours just reading, writing or drawing.

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