Monthly indoor flea market in a rented hall

Sellers pay you for a table or stall. Shoppers may pay a small entry fee or donation, depending on how you run it.

Stall or table fees per event, minus hall rent, insurance and advertising. You can add small extras such as entry fees, a coffee or snack table run by a partner, or sponsor tables.

• Organizing people and layouts
• Local promotion and social media
• Friendly but firm with sellers
• Basic bookkeeping

• Event or commercial general liability insurance; many halls will ask for proof before you can book
• Fire code and maximum occupancy limits for the venue, so check these with the hall and your municipality
• Whether your municipality requires a business licence or special event permit for a recurring market
• Sellers of food or drinks may need a permit from your local public health unit
• Sellers are usually responsible for their own sales tax. Check with the CRA and your province whether your stall fees need GST/HST or PST
• Some second-hand items, such as cribs, helmets and child car seats, have Health Canada rules, so set clear seller rules
• A low turnout on a bad winter weekend can leave you covering the hall rent

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on hall rental, tables, insurance and promotion. A low turnout on a bad winter weekend can leave you covering the hall rent.

Check insurance requirements, fire code and maximum occupancy limits for the venue, and whether your municipality requires a business licence or special event permit. Also check public health permits for food sellers, GST/HST or PST on stall fees, and Health Canada rules for second-hand items.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many sellers rent tables, your table pricing and whether you charge shopper entry. Revenue is before hall rent and other costs.