Independent neighbourhood bookshop

Local readers, parents, gift shoppers, schools and libraries, and book clubs.

Retail margin on new books bought from distributors, higher margins on used books, gifts and stationery, plus school orders, special orders and event ticket sales.

• Knowing books and what readers want
• Stock buying and inventory control
• Customer service and community building
• Managing a budget and rent

• Rent and lease terms, get the lease checked before signing
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• Check municipal business licence, signage and zoning rules
• Register for GST/HST and check provincial sales tax rules, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff
• Thin margins and slow seasons, plan cash for quiet months and the post-holiday dip
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for signage and customer service

Estimates typically put startup costs at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the size of the premises, lease terms, fit-out and how much opening stock you buy. Plan extra cash for quiet months.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, stock mix and events. Margins can be thin, and slow seasons and the post-holiday dip matter, so budget rent and costs carefully.

Have the lease checked before signing. Also look into commercial general liability and contents insurance, your municipal business licence, signage and zoning rules, GST/HST and provincial sales tax, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire. In Quebec, check French-language rules.