Start a Pop-Up Comic Café

Comic and manga fans, families, students and visitors to local markets and community events.

Drinks and snacks sold per item, with extra from small entry fees for themed events, and sales of second-hand comics or local artists' prints.

• Event setup and organizing
• Customer service
• Simple food and drink preparation
• Social media promotion

• Temporary food permit or approval from your public health unit, which can differ by province and by the food you serve
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether the venue requires its own cover
• Venue hire costs and rules on bringing in your own food and drink
• Avoid using licensed characters on signs or merchandise without permission
• Winter weather and low turnout can hurt sales, so keep the first events small and low-cost
• A home kitchen usually cannot be used for selling prepared food, so check what is allowed in your area

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on venue hire, your portable comic library, seating and the food and drink you serve. These are estimates, so keep the first events small and low-cost.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many events you run, the venue, turnout and your menu. Winter weather and low turnout can hurt sales, so start small.

Check for a temporary food permit or approval from your public health unit, which can differ by province and by the food you serve. Also check liability insurance, venue rules on outside food and drink, and whether a home kitchen can be used for prepared food in your area.