The Two Main Types of Bakeries:
Aesthetic Bakeries and Table-Driven Bakeries
This was a little something I realized through my many months (if not years) of playing this app. It's worth mentioning because it will drastically alter how you set up your store and how it operates. Since there are no official definitions for either, I'm designating the two terms to make things easier to explain.
Since all bakeries need tables, you often find a spectrum how how many tables people use in the game. Think about it like a spectrum:
<----Minimum Tables---------------|---------------Balance---------------|---------------Maximum tables---->
Some bakeries have a few dozen tables with seating for their customers. And some go all out and fill their floors with all tables to get the maximum amount of tips. Both are OK! However, I would suggest making those extra tables look like they fit with the design if you choose to do this.
Aesthetic Bakeries
It sounds pretty fancy, but it just means that your bakery is designed like bakeries are in real life OR they use more decorations. This type has groups/rows of tables and chairs and will have more space for decorations that make your bakery more unique. My own bakery is an example of an "aesthetic bakery" because I did both but here is another that also makes good use of decorations:
Photo permission from one of my fantastic neighbors, mini me. He changes his designs with every new theme!
Pro: They can look more aesthetically pleasing because they look like real bakeries
Con: Not as many tips gained compared to bakeries full of tables
Tip: Though these types of bakeries may not have as many tables as others, you can still fit them into your design. Layer two tables next to one another for extra tip space, use them as dividers, fake counters, etc.
Tip: If you have a large space that you plan to fill with decorations, put it further from the door. This way customers can get to their seats faster and don't have to walk through a maze of stuff.
Finesse Tip: When using decorations, try having no more than two or three main seating tables. They don't all have to be the same, but the more the tables match the more polished your bakery will look.
The reason why this type of bakery has more space is because it's not being taken up by tables, which brings me to the next type of bakery...
Table-Driven Bakeries
Table-driven bakeries have as many tables out as possible to catch more tips. I've seen bakeries with 100+ tables... that's room for a lot of tips! Technically, as long as customers can walk to some seats, then you're good to go.
Photo permission from another one of my best neighbors, Bakers Bliss!
This is a great example of a bakery with lots of tables that look more organized compared to other bakeries that I've seen. Every time I visit her, she always has room for tips!
Pro: Best option for getting the most money from tips
Con: Tables are often different types which can look disorganized and store has less room for decorations
Tip: If you use many different designs of tables, put them in symmetrical designs (lines, squares) to make it look less cluttered. Also, keep in mind that some tables are higher/lower than others and can be used in the layout.
Whether you have 30 tables, have only tables, or can find a nice balance in between... the decision is yours.
oOo Finesse oOo