Neighbourhood spice shop

Home cooks, food enthusiasts, gift shoppers, and local restaurants, cafés and caterers buying in volume.

Retail margin on spices, blends and gift items, plus wholesale orders to restaurants and workshops or tasting events.

• Deep knowledge of spices and blending
• Retail and stock management
• Customer service and recommendations
• Basic bookkeeping and supplier negotiation

• Food premises approval and inspections from the local public health unit
• Commercial lease terms, deposits and fit-out costs
• Labelling rules for packaged food, check with the CFIA, plus Quebec's French-language rules
• Stock tied up in slow-selling spices that lose potency over time
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Quiet winter periods and the need to cover rent through slow months

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your premises and fit-out. Check commercial lease terms, deposits and fit-out costs, and stock that may sit unsold, before you commit.

Monthly revenue is estimated typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, range and any wholesale supply. Quiet winter periods are possible, so plan to cover rent through slow months.

Check food premises approval and inspections with your local public health unit. Also check CFIA labelling rules, Quebec's French-language rules, commercial general liability and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province).