Demographics
Demographics will list your customer base and who your neighbors are - age, gender, income, education, and family size. This is a good way to target your customers and understand the market.

Safety
Safety first. Be sure that the building and it’s surroundings are safe for your customers, employees, yourself. Look to see the crime rate in the area for security purposes and if your area is well lit at night.

Traffic
Locations in relationship to pedestrian and car traffic will impact your business. Review traffic information to find out how many people pass by a location, the peak hours, and in what direction.

Leasing Tips

Research Zoning
Learn the zoning about the location you prefer to locate your business. This will make your business start up smoothly by knowing that you can operate there. If you don’t know the zoning regulations and locate there, you could be paying for the place that you cannot use.

Find Out About Hidden Costs
Visit the space you would like to operate your business. See if it is business ready, if not factor in costs to improve space to your standards.

Ask about ADA Compliance
Owner of property leased are responsible to have public restrooms and ground-floor entrances/ exits ADA accessible, or let you know that the space is not ADA compliant.

Negotiate the Lease
Don’t buy the first place you visit. Research other sites similar in the area to compare the market cost to better negotiate prices. This may help you get the price you want.

Include Contingencies
When negotiating a lease, plan for delays in case it takes longer than expected to obtain your permits.

Understand the Lease Clauses
Read through all the important clauses in your lease,  including how rent is calculated and quoted, the term of the lease, the start date of the lease, and what happens if the owner of property leased decides to sell the property.

Plan an Exit Strategy
Design a way out. If possible when negotiating the lease find if it allows you to transfer your business to a new owner, in the event of your business would ever fail. This is called an assignment clause, allowing you to sell your business.

Be Active in the Community
Take time to talk with neighboring merchants and consider joining a local merchant association. Don't underestimate the power of community support.

Home-based businesses in Stamford typically need 4-6 licenses. Many only require the most basic types of business registration.

Home Office

Offices - Housing Authorities: Offices used exclusively by a "Housing Authority" created and existing by the authority of Chapter 128 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and located within a residential structure operated by said Authority, provided that such use shall not exceed 20% of the total floor area of the structure and shall not extend outside the structure other than for the parking of non-commercial vehicles.

The area within a home operated as a barbershop or hairdressing and/or cosmetology shop must be equipped with the facilities and instruments required in all such establishments.

Food Manufacturing at Home

Any place where food is prepared and intended for individual portion service, and includes the site at which individual portions are provided. The term includes any such place regardless of whether consumption is on or off the premises and regardless of whether there is a charge for the food. The term includes delicatessens that offer prepared food in individual service portions. The term does not include private homes where food is prepared or served for individual family consumption, retail food stores, the location of food vending machines and supply vehicles.

Who qualifies?
Any person desiring to operate a food service establishment shall make written application for a license on forms provided by the Director of Health. Such application shall include the name and address of the owner of the establishment, the location and type of the proposed food service establishment and the signature of each owner. If the application is for a temporary food service establishment, it shall also include the dates of the proposed operation.

Process

1. Schedule meeting with applicant to review process of opening an establishment.
2. Applicant must submit a plan review application that is provided by the Stamford Health Department and a fee of $70.00.
3. The submitted plan review must consist of an application and fee of $70:
   1. A to scale plan of establishment, specification sheets for all equipment.
   2. Copy of the menu, and list of vendor where food is purchased.
   3. Must provide a copy of garbage removal and linens service
   4. Proof of a Qualified Food Operator.
4. Plan must be reviewed by an inspector of the Stamford Health Department. Any changes that must be made and any extra information needed must be submitted to applicant for revision.
5. Final plans must be submitted and reviewed prior to approval. Plan must also be approved in ViewPermit.
6. Prior to permitting of establishment, a pre-operational inspection must be conducted by the Health Department. If establishment does not meet the layout that was approved, the proper alterations must be made that reflect the approved plan. Once the modifications are made that meet the design of the approved plans a final inspection will be conducted.

Who does inspections?
The Director of Health or his/her authorized agent shall inspect the food service establishment prior to its beginning operation to determine compliance with the approved plans and specifications and with the requirements of this Article and the Public Health Code of the State of Connecticut.