When we opened the shop, we did everything on a shoe string. The only equipment that we bought new was the refrigeration, and eventually the espresso machine. Everything else was old, very old. It was a concious decision.
But recently our ovens have been acting up, and the repair bills have been astronomical. Parts have to be rigged to work--- It is terrifying to have a bakery and not know if an oven is going to be accuate, if it is going to hold it's temperature, if it is going to stay lit.
Last week I made the decision to buy a new unit. On Sunday, Mother's Day, both of our old units kept going out and running slow. I was then reassured that I had made the right decion to invest in new equipment. Our new Montague Vectaire convection oven was delivered and installed today. Tomorrow it will bake for the first time in our little shop.