Antique furniture shop
Run a small shop or showroom selling antique furniture to locals, designers and collectors.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small retail space showing a curated range of antique furniture, with regular buying trips to auctions, estates and private sellers. Many owners also sell online to reach more buyers.
Your first three steps
- Research rents and foot traffic in antique districts or busy main streets, and compare with shared antique mall booths
- Build relationships with auction houses, pickers and interior designers who can supply or buy stock
- Build a first range of stock and cost out lease, insurance and a delivery partner before you sign anything
Who pays
Local shoppers, interior designers, film and event stylists, collectors and visitors in tourist areas.
How it makes money
You earn the margin on each piece sold. Some shops add income from restoration, consignment commission, delivery fees and designer trade accounts.
Skills that help
- Knowledge of antique styles, woods and makers
- Buying and pricing
- Customer service and sales
- Managing stock and cash flow
Watch out for
- Lease commitments are a big risk, so consider a short term or a shared booth first
- Check your municipality for business licence, zoning and signage rules
- Stock can sit unsold for months, so keep cash in reserve
- Commercial general liability and contents insurance, and check provincial rules if you hire staff (WCB/WSIB)
- Check federal and provincial rules on restricted materials such as ivory, and register for GST/HST when required
- Quebec businesses may have French-language signage and communication requirements
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: antique furniture shop
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open an antique furniture shop in Canada?
Startup costs are typically estimated around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your lease, deposits, shop setup and the stock you buy. Consider a short lease or shared booth first to limit the risk.
How much can an antique furniture shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000 as an estimate, depending on stock turnover, pricing and whether you also sell online. Stock can sit unsold for months, so keep cash in reserve.
What licences and rules should I check for an antique shop?
Check your municipality's business licence, zoning and signage rules, plus federal and provincial rules on restricted materials such as ivory. Also check GST/HST registration, WCB/WSIB if you hire staff, and French-language signage requirements in Quebec.
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