Neighbourhood nut and dried fruit shop

Local residents, office workers, home bakers, health-conscious shoppers and gift buyers, especially at holiday times.

Sales by weight with a markup on wholesale prices, plus higher-margin trail mixes, roasted nuts and gift baskets. Holiday seasons are often the busiest.

• Retail and customer service
• Stock buying, pricing and managing waste
• Food safety and handling

• Food premises permit and inspections from your local public health unit
• Lease terms and commercial rent, which are a major fixed cost
• Nuts can go stale or rancid, so stock rotation and storage matter
• Allergen controls and clear labelling for peanuts, tree nuts and sulphites
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus WCB/WSIB once you hire staff
• Check local business licence and signage rules with your municipality

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $90,000 CAD, depending on the lease, fit-out and opening stock. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, range and trade at holiday times.

Check for a food premises permit and inspections from your local public health unit, and local business licence and signage rules with your municipality. Also check commercial general liability and property insurance, plus WCB/WSIB once you hire staff, and allergen labelling.

The estimate is at least about 35 hours a week. Commercial rent is a major fixed cost, and nuts can go stale or rancid, so stock rotation and storage matter. Retail skills, stock buying and food safety are important.