Wagashi and japanese sweets shop

Local residents, people from Japanese and wider Asian communities, gift buyers, office workers and tourists.

Per-piece sales and gift boxes at the counter, with higher sales around holidays such as Lunar New Year, Mother's Day, Christmas and Japanese seasonal events. Pre-orders for events can add to this.

• Confectionery or baking skills, or a trained partner or hire who has them
• Consistent quality and food handling habits
• Friendly counter service and basic bookkeeping

• Food premises permit and inspection from your local public health unit, plan this before signing a lease
• Food handler certification and allergen control (nuts, soy, wheat, sesame, dairy and egg are common in these sweets)
• Prepackaged food labelling rules, including bilingual labels in some cases, check with the CFIA
• Commercial general liability and property insurance
• Commercial rent and fit-out costs, and slow winter weeks
• Ingredient sourcing costs for items like red bean paste, rice flours and matcha, which can vary

Estimates put startup costs typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, kitchen fit-out and equipment. Commercial rent and fit-out are significant costs, so plan them before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on location, product range and season. Slow winter weeks and ingredient costs, such as red bean paste, rice flours and matcha, can vary.

Check the food premises permit and inspection from your local public health unit before signing a lease, plus food handler certification and allergen control. Also check prepackaged food labelling rules with the CFIA, including bilingual labels, and your insurance.