Antique shop selling antiques and collectables
Open a small shop selling antiques and collectables, with a mix of walk-in customers and regular buyers.
- C$10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small retail space stocked with antiques and collectables you have bought at auctions, estate sales and from private sellers. You can also rent out display cases to other dealers to help cover costs.
Your first three steps
- Visit antique shops and malls in nearby towns to see what sells, how it is priced and what gaps exist
- Build a starting stock over a few months and price a few possible shop locations, including rent and utilities
- Register your business with your province, get a Business Number and check local zoning and signage rules
Who pays
Local shoppers, tourists, collectors, interior decorators and people looking for gifts or furniture with character.
How it makes money
The margin on each item sold. Some owners add income from display case rentals, valuations or consignment sales where you take a percentage.
Skills that help
- Knowing antiques and their values
- Buying and negotiating
- Customer service
- Merchandising and display
- Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Commercial lease terms, deposits and how long you are committed
- Commercial general liability and contents insurance, including cover for fragile and valuable stock
- Check provincial rules on secondhand dealers, as some places require records of purchases or a licence
- Rules on selling items with ivory or other protected materials, so check federal and provincial rules
- Slow periods, especially in winter, and stock tying up cash for months
- WCB/WSIB registration if you hire staff, with rules varying by province
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: antique shop on a local high street
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 shop in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the lease, deposits and how much stock you buy. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on location and season.
What rules should I check before opening an antique shop?
Check provincial rules on secondhand dealers, as some places require purchase records or a licence. Also check federal and provincial rules on selling items with ivory or other protected materials, and WCB/WSIB registration if you hire staff.
How much time does an antique shop take to run?
Estimates suggest at least about 35 hours a week. Plan for slow periods, especially in winter, and stock tying up cash for months. Useful skills include knowing antiques and their values, buying and negotiating, and display.
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