Neighbourhood dessert shop

Walk-in customers, local families, office workers, and people ordering for parties and celebrations.

Individual dessert sales plus higher-value whole cakes and event orders. Coffee and drinks can add to each sale.

• Baking and dessert making
• Customer service
• Costing recipes and managing stock
• Handling a busy counter

• Food premises permit and inspection from your local public health unit, check their requirements early
• Municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules, check with your municipality
• Commercial general liability insurance and a long lease, read the terms carefully
• Food handler certification and allergen labelling rules, check your province
• Slow winter months and ingredient cost swings, plan your cash flow
• Register for GST/HST when required and check how it applies to your products

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on premises, fit-out and equipment. Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location and menu. Slow winter months and ingredient cost swings can affect cash flow.

Check early for a food premises permit and inspection from your local public health unit. Also check municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules, food handler certification and allergen labelling rules in your province, and GST/HST registration when required.

Read the lease terms carefully, as a long lease is a major commitment. Also check commercial general liability insurance, and plan your cash flow for slow winter months and ingredient cost swings.