How to open a Pop-Up Pie Shop
Posted by Warren
A pie shop review.
How to open a pop-up pie shop
Do you dream of one day opening a pie shop? Okay, you have something to prove that your pies are so good that they will beat the frosting off cupcakes. Maybe you already own a bakery and want to expand your horizon.
A pop-up pie shop is a good way to test out new ideas and dreams. Are your pies good enough to draw the crowds? Would you make it as a pie Baker? Why not test the waters first by opening a pop-up pie shop.
You do not know what a pop-up shop is:
A pop-up pie shop is a temporary arrangement.
You transform a unique space into an appealing pie bakery, and an unforgettable eatery experience that the public can enjoy.
Pop-up pie shop
in a shipping container?
Remember your transient establishments may lead into a permanent pie shop, but with some real experience behind you.
Pop-ups have been around for a long time, most often they are seasonal stores selling merchandise like Halloween costumes or Christmas decorations. However, both large, international chains and small, startup boutiques have recently begun experimenting with the short-term retail concept.
Pop-up shops are popping up in many places. These temporary shops dropped into empty spaces have become an attractive option for both business owners and landlords.
As property owners try to stay afloat amidst unprecedented property vacancies brought on by tough times, pop-up retail become a win-win for landlords and bakers, retailers.
Six steps you need to take to open a startup Pop-up Pie Shop:
1. Research your target market
Knowing and understanding what your customer want is critical to any pie shop success.
Failure does not mean you are a looser.
Failure is just a learning experience.
You become a looser only if you give up.
Examine it. What went wrong? Can it be fixed?
If you can not figure it out, seek help.
Ask others who are running a bakery.
Go to those who would not be your competitor.
The most important thing to do when opening a pop-up pie shop is to research a location that your target audience desires.
How will they access you by car, foot? Are they willing to come to you? When will they come to you, morning, afternoon or evening?What will the peak time be?
Finding a location where customers are looking for your pies will make you much more successful.
2. Interview your landlord
Know what your landlord and your expectations are. Have a conversation with her.
How long do you plan to stay? Talk about the possibilities of repeated business or of failure.
Only when you are both happy or at least agreeable Write it down and draw up a contract.
Have all the paperwork in order and signed. Pop-up pie shops are not typical, by-the-book contracts, so ask what you want.
3. Where are you going to bake pies?
Does your state allow you to bake your pies at home? Most do not.
You might need to lease a commercial kitchen to bake your pies. Share space with your friendly cater.
How are you going to transport your pies? Trying to move 50 pies in your Toyota is just an accident waiting to happen. Keep your kitchen close to the point of sale.
4. Use common sense when selecting the type of pies to bake
Gluten free, local ingredients, cost, time to bake, complexity, durability are some things you should be asking yourself.
Start out simple and slowly move to more complicated pies.
5. Get Square to process your transactions
Pop-up owners use Square extensively to launch their businesses.
This revolutionary service allows for simple credit card processing through an online application created for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
The application tracks where your transactions were made via a GPS device that is built within it.
Payments are processed and deposited into your account within two business days.
The biggest downside to the application is the increase in merchant fees after $10,000. Also, if you???re using an iPhone and someone calls you, it can disrupt a transaction.
There is no cost for setting up the account with SquareUp.com. The card reader device is shipped to you for free. At the time of this article Square???s processing fees are 2.75 percent for swiped transactions and 3.5 percent + 15 cents for keyed-in transactions.
6. Get the word out about your pop-up pie shop
It is important to get the word out, advertise about your shop. Most of all use social media to spread the message.
Use Twitter, Facebook and Blogs to start the buzz. Offer specials for the first 10 customers.
Circulate those flyers and handbills in the area of the pop-up pie shop. Post signs announcing your opening.
Pop-up pie shop final comments
Many Farmer’s Markets will allow you to do a pop-up pie shop. Contact your local Agricultural Department for guidelines and requirements.
