Neighbourhood coffee bean and gear shop

Home coffee drinkers, gift buyers, nearby offices and people who want to upgrade how they brew at home.

You buy beans wholesale and sell them by the bag or by weight at a markup. You also earn margin on equipment and gifts, and can add subscriptions or gift sets.

• Knowing coffee origins, roasts and brewing methods
• Friendly, helpful customer service
• Stock ordering and cash management

• Commercial lease terms and zoning, check with your municipality before signing
• If you repackage or grind beans in store, check with your local public health unit about food premises rules
• Check federal and provincial labelling rules for prepackaged food. Quebec has French-language requirements for signs and labels
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• Cash flow is tight in the first months, so keep stock levels modest

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $40,000 to $120,000, depending on your lease and fit-out, the roasters you choose, and how much brewing gear and bean stock you buy.

Check lease terms and zoning with your municipality, and ask your local public health unit about food premises rules if you grind or repackage beans. Also check federal and provincial labelling rules, French-language requirements in Quebec, and insurance.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your location, range and regular customers. Cash flow is tight in the first months, so keep stock levels modest.