Neighbourhood haberdashery shop

Local sewists, quilters, students, costume makers, parents and people doing repairs who want to see and touch products and get advice.

Retail margin on stock, plus workshop fees, kits and often an online shop alongside. Regular customers and school or theatre orders help steady sales.

• Deep knowledge of sewing supplies
• Buying and stock control
• Retail and customer service
• Teaching or running workshops

• Commercial lease terms and rent, the biggest fixed cost
• Municipal business licence, zoning, signage and fire code rules, check with your city
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire, rules differ by province
• Quebec French-language rules for signs and customer service, if you open there
• Slow winter months and stock sitting unsold, order carefully

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $90,000 CAD, depending on your premises, stock levels and fit-out. The commercial lease and rent are usually the biggest fixed cost, so check the terms carefully.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $35,000 CAD, depending on location, range and any workshops you add. That is revenue before costs, and the estimate assumes at least about 35 hours a week.

Check your city's business licence, zoning, signage and fire code rules. Also check commercial general liability and contents insurance, WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire, and Quebec's French-language rules for signs and service if you open there.