Turn Your Holiday Baking into a Sweet and Profitable Home Bakery Pop Up Shop

Welcome, my fellow sugar-dusted, dough kneading, oven-loving friends! If you're here, it means you're looking for ways to turn those holiday baking marathons into some sweet moolah, am I right? Well, I'm here to tell you that you can have your cake and sell it too! Pop-up bakery shops are the way to go. These little instant storefronts are like Santa's elves, but for bakers - they pop up when and where you need them, and boom - you're in the business of selling your delectable delights!

Whether it's Valentine’s Day love muffins, Easter bunny cookies, Halloween spooky cupcakes, or Christmas cinnamon rolls, your Bakery Pop-Up Shop can be the hottest spot in any location, from your local church basement to your own cozy home. So, let's dive into the world of Pop-Up Shops and turn your holiday baking into a profitable venture!

What is a Pop Up Bakery?

First and foremost, let's talk about what Pop-Up Shops are. These are like instant storefronts where you decide the time, place, and what you'll be selling. The beauty of them is that you don't have to commit to a long-term lease or be stuck in one location. They're also a great way to get your name out there, especially if you're just starting in the baking world. (If you need help setting up your home bakery - start here with Bake From Home.)

Come November, Farmer’s Markets are usually over for the winter, and sometimes we don’t want to (or can’t) spend all weekend at a craft fair or holiday event. I have found that Pop-Up Shops are the best and most lucrative way to make money from baking during the busy holiday season. 

When is the Best Time to Set Up a Bakery Pop Up Shop?

When it comes to the best time to set up your Pop-Up Shop, the holiday season is the perfect opportunity.

I have done them for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The options are endless, and it is all up to you to decide which holiday you’d like to focus on.

Usually, a day or two before a holiday works best, but that is not always the case.

• For example, I like to sell my Christmas cookie and candy trays at least a week before Christmas so customers can take them to their holiday parties. I usually have two Pop-Up shops for Christmas, one the week before and one right before Christmas.
• For Thanksgiving, the Wednesday morning before works perfectly.
• Valentine’s Day is a last-minute holiday, so I will have my pop-up sometimes on Valentine’s Day!

I’ve had them in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Like I said, YOU set all the details!

Just know that whatever day and time you pick will not work for everyone, and you will have some customers unable to attend. 

TIP! You’ll want to select a time when your customers are available and also when it isn't too busy at other events or holidays. Weekends can work great, but if there are other events happening in your area, you may want to avoid clashing with them.

Where to Set Up a Pop Up Bakery

Now, let’s talk about location. Pop-up shops can be located anywhere, which is what makes them so versatile. I have held my bakery pop-up shops in various places, including the farmer's market parking lot, a local coffee shop, the park, and even my own house.

• Our city park actually allows us to set up without permission in the pool parking lot and it’s a great spot. We live in a small town and can get away with stuff like that, and I understand that is not going to be the case for everyone.
• I have also been able to use the coffee shop I bake for to set up my little shops. I have done it during business hours and after business hours.
•  Last year, we insulated our garage, and I hosted a Christmas pop-up inside. It was great because I didn’t have to drag everything to town. I loved it!! I live twenty minutes from town, but that didn’t stop customers from driving out to my house!
• I have known other bakers to set up shop outside their homes, and it works great.

Remember, it’s all about convenience for your customers and what works best for you and them!

Inside "Pop Up Bakery Blitz" I share all my tips on locations and what to sell and how to price it all!

What to Sell at a Bakery Pop Up Shop 

Obviously, every holiday will have different desserts.

• Valentine’s Day is chocolate everything and usually chocolate-covered strawberries.
• Thanksgiving involves pie, cinnamon rolls, and pumpkin rolls.
• Christmas is cookies, candies, cinnamon rolls, danishes, and decorated cookies.

You will get more and more experience and knowledge as you get to know your customers and grow your business. And baking trends change all the time, so what sells one year may be “out of style” the next.

Remember the year of the hot chocolate bombs? Everyone was making them! They are still popular, but definitely not like they were a few years ago.

TIP! You want to make sure what you're selling is easy to transport and won't be affected by the weather, so choose items that are sturdy and easy to handle. Try some traditional holiday goodies and also some unique, new desserts that people may not have tried before.

How to Keep Your Stress Down During The Holidays

Pop-up shops can bring in a nice little income for you during the holidays, and you can keep your stress down by not taking individual orders. It can be a first-come, first-served event. That means if you only bake ten dozen cinnamon rolls instead of twenty, no one knows any different. If you get tired and can’t finish that last pan of gingerbread cookies, you won’t be shorting anyone’s order. Trust me on this: it is so liberating to bake what you want and not stress out over getting all of your orders done! 

Learn how to bake bulk cinnamon rolls for your pop-up shops inside Cinnamon Roll Mastery HERE!

Get Ready to Set Up Your Own Pop-Up Shop!

In summary, Pop-Up Shops are an excellent way to sell your baked goods during the busy holiday season. They offer flexibility and are a great way to get your name out there. Remember, you’re in control and decide the time, place, and what you’re selling. 

Now, get planning for those pop-ups! Search out a spot and ask your friends if they know of a good location for you. Start planning what you want to offer! With these tips and tricks, you're all set to set up your very own Pop-Up Shop.

Plus, with my recipe courses and guides, you'll have my best-selling bakery items at your fingertips - Get them here!

Want More? The "Pop Up Bakery Blitz" is a comprehensive guide designed for passionate bakers who wish to explore the world of pop-up shops without committing to a full-time bakery operation. It provides strategies and insights to help part-time bakers successfully host pop-up events, allowing them to share their creations, connect with their community, and earn extra income while maintaining the flexibility they desire.