Local craft drinks delivery to cafés and shops

Independent cafés, grocery and gift shops, gyms, small restaurants and offices that want local drinks but are too small for big distributors.

You buy at a wholesale price and sell at a higher wholesale price, or earn a commission from the producer on each case delivered. Regular weekly or fortnightly orders matter most.

• Selling and building relationships
• Organising orders and deliveries
• Basic bookkeeping
• Comfortable lifting cases

• Storing food and drink at home may need a home-based business licence or public health approval, so check with your municipality and local health unit
• Bottle deposit and container recycling rules differ by province, so check who is responsible for fees and returns
• Selling across provincial borders or importing drinks may need a federal food licence, so check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Alcohol is controlled by each province's liquor authority and usually needs separate authorization, so don't assume you can add it
• Personal vehicle insurance may not cover business deliveries, so check commercial cover and general liability insurance
• Check GST/HST registration once your sales grow, and cash flow if shops pay on 30-day terms
• In Quebec, check French-language labelling and business rules

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on how much stock you buy or take on agreement, your storage space, and any vehicle or insurance costs. Cash flow can be affected if shops pay on 30-day terms.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the brands you carry, how many cafés and shops you supply, and your delivery days. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week.

Check whether storing food and drink at home needs a home-based licence or public health approval, and how bottle deposit rules work in your province. Check federal food licence needs for cross-border sales, commercial vehicle insurance, and separate authorization for alcohol.