Local craft beer bottle shop

Local residents, craft beer fans, gift buyers, and small restaurants, bars or event organizers where your province's rules allow supplying them.

You buy beer at wholesale or from brewers and sell at retail prices. Extras like mixed packs, gift sets, glassware and beer club subscriptions can lift sales per customer.

• Knowledge of beer styles and local brewers
• Stock ordering and cash flow
• Friendly customer service

• Alcohol retail is run very differently in each province, and in some it is mostly government-controlled, so confirm that a private shop is possible where you live
• Licence approval can take months and may involve background checks, a premises inspection and public notice, so check timelines before paying rent
• Staff may need responsible service or age-verification training, check provincial requirements
• Commercial general liability insurance and cover for stock, fridges and theft
• Check whether online sales, delivery or sales to venues are allowed under your licence
• Beer is heavy and perishable, so plan for fridge space, stock turnover and cash tied up in inventory
• Register for GST/HST, and check any provincial sales tax rules

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, fridges, stock and licensing. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on location, range and how quickly your stock sells.

Alcohol retail is run very differently in each province, and in some it is mostly government-controlled, so confirm a private shop is possible where you live. Check licence timelines too, as approval can take months and may involve background checks, a premises inspection and public notice.

Plan on at least 40 hours a week, based on the idea's estimates. Beer is heavy and perishable, so also plan for fridge space, stock turnover and cash tied up in inventory. Check whether staff need responsible service or age-verification training.