Small chinese tea house

Locals looking for a quiet place to meet, students, remote workers, tea lovers, and people buying tea to take away or give as gifts.

Pots and cups of tea, snack sales and takeaway drinks, plus loose-leaf tea and teaware. Tasting sessions and small private bookings can add extra income.

• Knowledge of Chinese teas and brewing methods
• Welcoming customer service
• Basic food handling and stock control
• Budgeting and managing rent and staff costs

• Food premises permit and inspections from your local public health unit, and food handler certification requirements in your province
• Zoning, building and fire rules for your unit, and costs of any fit-out. Check your municipality before signing a lease
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Rent and slow winter or weekday periods can strain cash flow, so plan some reserves
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for signs and menus
• Check rules on importing or labelling loose-leaf tea if you sell it packaged

Estimates suggest a small tea house typically costs around $40,000 to $150,000 to start, depending on the premises, equipment and stock you need. Plan some reserves too, as rent and slow winter or weekday periods can strain cash flow.

Revenue estimates run typically around $8,000 to $30,000 a month, depending on location, opening hours and how much loose-leaf tea and teaware you sell. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, and the business usually needs about 40 hours a week or more.

Check for a food premises permit and inspections from your local public health unit, plus food handler certification in your province. Also check zoning, building and fire rules before signing a lease, and in Quebec, French-language rules for signs and menus.