Costume and dress-up shop
Open a small local shop selling and renting costumes and props to families, schools and theatre groups.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small retail shop with costumes, props, wigs, makeup and accessories. Many also offer rentals or custom orders for plays, school shows and events.
Your first three steps
- Research local demand and nearby competitors, and talk to schools and theatre groups about what they need
- Price out small retail units and compare lease terms, including how the rent works in your slowest months
- Line up suppliers and a starting range, then test the idea with a market stall or seasonal pop-up
Who pays
Families, party-goers, school drama programs, community theatres, and event organizers.
How it makes money
Costume and accessory sales, plus rental fees and group orders. Seasonal pop-up trade in the autumn can bring in much of the year's revenue.
Skills that help
- Retail and customer service
- Buying and stock control
- Creative eye for costumes and displays
Watch out for
- Check municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules before signing a lease
- Commercial general liability and contents insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
- Check Health Canada rules on children's products and flammability
- If you rent costumes, plan for cleaning, repairs and damaged or unreturned items
- Seasonal sales mean cash flow can be tight outside the Halloween period
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: costume and dress-up shop
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open a costume shop?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your premises, stock levels and fit-out. If you plan to offer rentals, also allow for cleaning, repairs and damaged or unreturned items.
How much revenue can a costume shop make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on location, stock and whether you add rentals or custom orders. Seasonal sales mean cash flow can be tight outside the Halloween period.
What licences and rules apply to a costume shop?
Check your municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules before signing a lease. Also check insurance such as commercial general liability and contents cover, WCB/WSIB once you hire (rules vary by province), and Health Canada rules on children's products and flammability.
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