Neighbourhood fabric and haberdashery shop

Local dressmakers, quilters, crafters, students, costume makers and people mending or altering clothes.

Retail margin on fabric and supplies, plus fees from sewing classes, workshops and cutting or kit services.

• Deep knowledge of fabrics and sewing
• Buying and managing stock
• Friendly customer service
• Managing rent and cash flow

• Commercial lease terms, deposits and rent increases, so get advice before signing
• Check your municipality for business licence, zoning and signage rules
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Slow winter months and the cost of unsold stock
• Collecting and remitting GST/HST or provincial sales tax, check your province's rules
• In Quebec, French-language rules apply to signs and customer service, so check the requirements

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on your lease, fit-out and how much stock you buy. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, range and any classes you add.

Check commercial lease terms, deposits and rent increases before signing, and your municipality's business licence, zoning and signage rules. Also check insurance, WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, sales tax rules in your province, and French-language rules in Quebec.

Estimates suggest at least about 35 hours a week. Useful skills include deep knowledge of fabrics and sewing, buying and managing stock, friendly customer service, and managing rent and cash flow, including slower winter months.