Fellmonger Fresh

Maureen Johnson is launching Fellmonger Fresh, an artisanal cottage bakery specializing in naturally leavened sourdough breads, pastries, and fresh-brewed canned tea and coffee. The business will emphasize high-quality ingredients, locally sourced products, unique flavors, and gut-friendly grains to meet growing consumer demand for healthier food options. Initially, the business will operate as a home-based cottage food operation structured as a single-member LLC, with plans to potentially expand into a food truck within the next three to five years. Maureen also hopes to eventually offer baking classes as an additional service and revenue stream.

Challenge:  Maureen needed guidance on the most practical way to launch and grow her business while balancing family responsibilities and minimizing startup costs. She wanted to understand the legal requirements for operating a cottage food business, evaluate future expansion options, and determine how baking classes could fit into her business model. She was also considering whether a food truck might be a better long-term option than a traditional storefront, given the number of local festivals and events in the region.

How Illinois SBDC helped: Pam reviewed the steps required to establish a single-member LLC and explained how Illinois cottage food laws apply to home-based food businesses. Together, they explored operational pathways, including starting under cottage food regulations, later transitioning to a food truck or brick-and-mortar location, and developing a business plan to evaluate financial considerations, growth opportunities, and operational strategies. She also encouraged Maureen to tour the Kitchen Incubator to learn more about available resources and commercial kitchen options.

Result: Maureen decided to focus on launching the business as a pop-up cottage bakery, supplemented by occasional pickup and delivery services. This approach allows her to test the market, build a customer base, and generate revenue while maintaining flexibility for her family. The phased-growth strategy provides an opportunity to gain experience and validate demand before making a larger investment in a mobile or brick-and-mortar operation. She plans to revisit expansion opportunities once her children are both in school full-time.

Learn More: Visit Fellmonger Fresh on Facebook and Instagram for more information.