I am Starting a Gourmet Food Boutique/ Need Advice

[GourmetAmor]

Hello Everyone.
I am new here but i just wanted to ask a few questions and tell you about a possable business i might open.

I have been entertaining the idea of opening a small gourmet food boutique. I would like to carry seasonal specialty products from around the country (Coffee from Puerto Rico, Cheeses from Hudson Valley, Olive oils from Northern California, ETC.) and have my stock change seasonaly. in addition to this i would like to have a small european panini sandwich bar that serves fresh tossed salads and soups.
I want to bring back the old world charm of a family run business but with a more corporate feel. I will do this with marketing and by offering the following services:

1 I want my business website to reflect my rotating inventory and seasonal themes.

2 I want to offer a free 1 800 # so people can call during business hours to ask any culinary question they might have for free. all i would ask in return is email address and location. for later marketing purposes.

3 I want to have a chat server linked to my website so foodies can chat live time without having to use aim or yahoo. ( the bots in those rooms are such a pain in the ***)

4 i want to offer a once or twice a month basic cooking class. more for amature home cooks looking to expand on their cooking. and to also be aware of our inventory.

I have been cooking since i was 8 or 9 my family has had restaurants and i have worked in many food related busnesses for many years for the past 10 years i have been working in marketing and i really want to make the transition back to where my heart belongs in the food business. The logo i have as my advitar and profile pic is the logo for my business.

I really dont know where to begin or how to start i am just tring to come up with some ideas to perhaps start. this isnt a big risk for me since i am not married nor do i have children. Any suggestions would help Thank you

[Suzanne]

Start by getting in contact with the National Association for Specialty Food Trade.. They have resources for folks like you.

[shroomgirl]

check out Zingermans in Ann Arbor, MI