Bowling pro shop with ball drilling

League and tournament bowlers, newcomers who want their first ball, bowling centres, and school or youth programs.

Retail margin on gear plus fees for drilling, plug and re-drill work, grip changes and resurfacing. Leagues often bring regular repeat business over the season.

• Ball fitting and drilling, learned through training
• Product knowledge and friendly advice
• Stock buying and managing a small shop

• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus a check on cover for drilling work
• Poor drilling can hurt a bowler's hand, so training and careful fitting matter
• Bowling is seasonal in many areas, with league play mostly running from fall to spring, so plan cash flow for summer
• A shop inside someone else's centre depends on that lease or agreement, so get terms in writing
• Check your municipality for business licence, zoning and signage rules, and Quebec's French-language requirements if relevant
• Dust from drilling and handling heavy balls, so check workplace safety rules for your province

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on your premises, drilling equipment and how much stock you buy. These are estimates, and a shop inside a bowling centre may cost differently from a separate unit.

Check insurance, including cover for drilling work, and your municipality's business licence, zoning and signage rules. If you sit inside a bowling centre, get the agreement in writing. Also check workplace safety rules for dust and heavy balls in your province.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your stock, location and customer base. Bowling can be seasonal in many areas, with league play mostly from fall to spring, so plan your cash flow for summer.