Expanding Our Bakery Business with Shipping Containers: A Cost-Effective Solution

Chrissy Traore and her spouse Ben Salif Traore embarked on a culinary journey in Upstate New York, launching their bakery after moving away from city life. As their venture rapidly flourished, they needed extra space on a tight budget.

Beginning the Journey in Food

Our story began when I was a chef, and Ben was baking. Our paths crossed at a restaurant where I prepared pizza using his equipment, setting the stage for our partnership. Before this, I had been involved in marketing on Madison Avenue, but the 2008 economic downturn led me to the food industry.

By 2017, we decided city life wasn't for us. The move upstate seemed perfect—it was peaceful, offered abundant space, and allowed us to connect with nature. With limited funds, we had to carefully invest in a dual-purpose living and work space.

Finding a Home and Establishing Roots

We settled in Cairo, New York, buying an old bar with hotel features on 11 acres, all for $189,900. It needed extensive renovations, but it was within our budget. We immersed ourselves in the community by introducing our bread and food at local markets, slowly acclimating to our new home.

The Challenge of Rapid Growth

By 2018, our efforts had transformed into See & Be Kitchen. As foot traffic and demand increased, we realized our initial facilities were insufficient. The urgency to expand was clear—traditional building methods would take too long, so we needed a swift, viable alternative.

Innovative Expansion: Shipping Containers

Recalling my experience at a market constructed entirely from shipping containers, I realized they were the perfect quick-fix solution. We decided to invest $10,000 in adapting a container to our needs. It was affordable, practical, and alignable with our vision.

Constructing a Unique Bakery

Initially, we purchased a 40' by 20' shipping container and used rail ties for foundational support. However, with heavy usage, this approach wore down quickly. Despite some insulation missteps initially, we advanced towards better storage solutions by opting for decommissioned refrigerated containers that suited our operations better.

Our investment into these containers—pre-insulated and steel-walled, ensured they were kitchen-ready. Equipped with utilities, these units efficiently complemented our original building, allowing us to meet our growing demand practically.

Scaling with Speed and Efficiency

Implementing shipping containers streamlined our expansion process significantly. Within a month, we saw our production capacity increase drastically. Our approach became straightforward: purchase, prepare, and weld the next container when required.

Purchasing through a broker, our containers varied from $7,500 to $15,000 each, including costs for setup and integration into our existing space. This investment was vital as it allowed us to continue growing without halting operations.

Community Impact and Perceptions

Visitors are often surprised to learn about the innovative use of containers, mistaking our operation for a makeshift enterprise. Yet, once inside, they see the true scale and professionalism of our bakery, compliant and efficient, dispelling any misconceptions.