Start a Neighbourhood Comic Café

Students, young adults, families, comic and manga fans, and locals who want a relaxed place to sit for a while.

Drinks and snacks make up most sales. Extra income can come from event tickets, room hire for groups, and selling a few comics, zines or local artists' prints.

• Customer service and a welcoming manner
• Basic café skills or willingness to learn (coffee, food handling)
• Budgeting and stock control
• Knowledge of comics and manga, or a partner who has it

• Food premises permit and inspection from your local public health unit, plus any municipal business licence and zoning approval
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation (WCB/WSIB) coverage once you hire (rules differ by province)
• Fit-out costs, equipment and rent can be high, so check your numbers and lease terms before signing
• Using licensed characters on menus, merchandise or signs without permission can cause copyright trouble
• Comics get worn and stolen, so plan for replacing stock and keeping them away from food and drink spills
• Quebec has French-language rules for signs and menus, so check them if you open there
• Winter can mean slower foot traffic in some areas, so plan cash for quiet months

Startup costs are typically around $45,000 to $200,000, depending on fit-out, equipment, rent and lease terms. These are estimates, so check your numbers and lease terms carefully before signing anything.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on location, opening hours, menu and events. That is revenue, not profit, so rent, stock and wages come out of it. Winter can be slower in some areas.

Things to check include a food premises permit and inspection from your local public health unit, any municipal business licence and zoning approval, and insurance. Quebec has French-language rules for signs and menus. Also check copyright before using licensed characters.