Independent children's bookshop

Local parents, grandparents, gift buyers, teachers, schools and libraries.

Book sales at a trade discount margin, plus gifts and stationery, school and classroom orders, and paid events or story sessions.

• Knowledge of children's books and reading levels
• Stock buying and inventory control
• Warm customer service and event hosting

• Rent and stock are major costs, so check the numbers carefully before signing a lease
• Check municipal business licence and signage rules, and register for GST/HST or provincial sales tax as needed
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff (rules vary by province)
• Quebec has French-language requirements for signs and commerce, so check them if you open there
• Winter weather and seasonal swings, with the holiday season often the busiest time

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on your shop's size, rent and deposit, fit-out and opening stock. Rent and stock are major costs, so check the numbers carefully before signing a lease.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, stock range and events. Plan for at least about 35 hours a week. Winter weather and seasonal swings matter, with the holiday season often the busiest time.

Check your municipal business licence and signage rules, and register for GST/HST or provincial sales tax as needed. Also check liability and property insurance, WCB or WSIB coverage if you hire staff, and Quebec French-language requirements if you open there.