Glasses repair counter or kiosk
Run a small repair counter in a mall, or inside a shop, for walk-in glasses fixes.
- C$8k-30k
- Part-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small fixed counter or kiosk, or a space shared with a jeweller, shoe repair shop or optical store, where people drop in for glasses repairs, adjustments and fittings of replacement parts.
Your first three steps
- Train in frame repair, ideally by working alongside an experienced optician or repair technician
- Price a small counter or shared space in a mall, market hall or busy street, and ask local optical shops about referral deals
- Set up a work bench, tools and a parts stock, then register your business name and get your GST/HST number if needed
Who pays
Walk-in customers with broken or loose glasses, plus local optical shops, jewellers and clinics that send you repair work.
How it makes money
Fees per repair or adjustment plus parts. Some owners add small extras like cases, cleaning kits and cords, and repair work for partner shops.
Skills that help
- Fine repair and soldering skills
- Customer service at a counter
- Basic bookkeeping and stock control
Watch out for
- Check your provincial opticianry rules on which tasks need a registered optician, especially replacing lenses
- A municipal business licence and zoning approval for your location
- Commercial general liability and contents insurance
- Lease terms and rent, as footfall can be uneven and slower in winter
- Quebec has its own rules and French-language signage requirements
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: glasses repair counter or kiosk
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open a glasses repair counter or kiosk?
Estimates are typically around $8,000 to $30,000 to start, depending on your location, fit-out, tools and parts stock. Lease terms and rent matter, as footfall can be uneven and slower in winter.
How much can a glasses repair kiosk earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on location, walk-in traffic and whether local optical shops, jewellers or clinics send you work. Estimates assume at least about 25 hours a week.
What rules should I check before opening a glasses repair counter in Canada?
Check your provincial opticianry rules on which tasks need a registered optician, especially replacing lenses. Also check municipal business licence and zoning approval for your location, insurance, and Quebec's own rules and French-language signage requirements.
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Photo: Henning_W on Pixabay