Dave, have you ever read "How to start & run a coffee shop"? I don't have the book here right now, but I think one of the autors is called Matzer or Matzen or something like that... maybe Michel can help!
When do you have to open your store? I would highly recommend to visit the next Coffee Fest in Seattle. They offer a business seminar called "how to open a coffee shop", it's over 3 days. I learned a lot there!!!!!! It's everything about equipment, marketing, employees, calculating and writing your business plan, and much more. The hints from all other attendants and "teachers" where worth gold.
And every day we practised on huge gastronomy espresso machines - I even made my first latte art there.
I have not heard of a business seminar like that in Europe yet - only barista classes...and I have to say some marketing strategies from the americans are really good.
At the same time the Coffee Fest has a fair and some other classes you (or better your partner) can attend for free. and collect knowledge.
If you want to know more send me a PM as I don't want to get complains for "advertising"....
About the espresso machines - how many espresso based drinks will you sell per day? That will help you to decide how many groups your machine should have. When you compare the different brands, read everything technically and decide if you do want a machine that for example has an outstanding technique - but therefore needs more maintenance and double the amount of gaskets, or the service company is far away and costs a lot of hours and money....
Or think if you really want to have a huge double boiler machine when you only sell lup to 15 drinks per hour,but don't have the customer flow like a Starbucks on Broadway - you will have a lot of stale water in your boilers....
Using 20oz cups? Need a machine with a higher distance between the drip tray and the group, bacause pulling shots in a shotglass and then pouring the espresso in the huge cup makes you lose precious crema...
But that's just my humbled opinion.
Just consider your real needs before you buy equipment.
I hope this is not worth less bla bla that you already figured out - why don't you ask the exact questions, that makes it easier to reply?
Greetings
Joey