Neighbourhood art supply shop

Local artists, students, teachers, hobbyists, parents buying for school projects, and community art groups.

Retail margin on products you buy wholesale and sell at shelf price. Extras can include custom framing, classes, bulk deals for schools and loyalty discounts.

• Knowing art materials well enough to advise customers
• Stock buying and inventory control
• Friendly customer service
• Basic bookkeeping

• Municipal business licence and zoning for retail use, check with your municipality
• Registering for GST/HST, and PST or QST where your province applies it
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• Lease length and rent, which are the biggest fixed cost
• Competition from large chains and online sellers, so plan a clear niche
• Back-to-school and holiday peaks, with slower periods in between
• In Quebec, French-language rules for signs and customer service, check with the Office québécois de la langue française

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on premises, fit-out and stock. Lease length and rent are the biggest fixed cost, so check them carefully before signing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, range and niche. Back-to-school and holiday peaks are busier, and competition from chains and online sellers means a clear niche matters.

Check municipal business licence and zoning for retail use, GST/HST registration and PST or QST where your province applies it, and commercial general liability and contents insurance. In Quebec, check French-language rules for signs and customer service.