Neighbourhood pool hall

Local players, students, league teams, friends and families, and groups booking birthday or team events.

Table time charged by the hour or per player, plus league fees, tournament entries, cue and chalk rentals, snack and soft drink sales, and private bookings.

• Welcoming and good with people
• Basic bookkeeping and cash handling
• Organizing leagues and events
• Basic table maintenance such as re-clothing and levelling

• Check zoning, municipal business licence and any amusement or entertainment rules with your municipality
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• If you sell snacks or drinks, check with your local public health unit about food permits
• Lease terms, rent increases and heavy table weight on floors
• Quiet daytime hours and slow summers, so plan for uneven cash flow
• If you are in Quebec, check French-language signage and other provincial rules

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the premises, number of tables and fit-out. Check lease terms and rent increases, and the weight of tables on floors.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on table count, location, leagues and bookings. Daytime hours can be quiet and summers slow, so plan for uneven cash flow.

Check zoning, your municipal business licence and any amusement or entertainment rules, plus commercial general liability and property insurance. If you sell snacks or drinks, check food permits with your local public health unit. In Quebec, check French-language signage rules.