Local billiards supply shop

League and casual pool players, bars, legions and clubs, and families buying a table for the basement or games room.

Retail margin on accessories and cues, plus higher-value table sales. Cue repairs and special orders add smaller regular income.

• Knowing the game and the gear
• Retail and stock control
• Friendly customer service
• Basic cue repair (can be learned)

• Municipal business licence and zoning for retail premises, check with your municipality before trading
• GST/HST registration and, depending on your province, PST or QST
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• Stock tied up in expensive tables, check supplier return and financing terms
• Quebec has French-language signage and service rules, check requirements if you open there
• Delivery and installation of heavy tables, decide whether to do it or partner with an installer

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your premises, display tables and stock. Tables are expensive stock, so check supplier return and financing terms before ordering.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $9,000 to $40,000, depending on table sales, accessories, any repair services and local demand. The estimate is for at least about 35 hours a week. Revenue is not profit.

Check your municipal business licence and zoning for retail premises, GST/HST registration and any PST or QST, and commercial general liability and contents insurance. In Quebec, check French-language signage rules. Decide how you will handle delivery and installation of heavy tables.