Sports memorabilia shop

Local fans, gift shoppers, collectors and people buying for dens, offices and bars.

Markup on stock bought from suppliers and collectors, plus framing, card grading submissions, buying collections and occasional signing events.

• Deep sports and collectables knowledge
• Pricing and negotiating
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Lease terms, deposits and fit-out costs, so read the lease carefully before signing
• Municipal business licence, signage and zoning rules, so check with your municipality
• Authenticity of signed items, and keep certificates for every piece
• Commercial general liability and contents or theft insurance for valuable stock
• Quiet seasons and dependence on team results, so plan cash flow with an online store as backup
• Collect and remit GST/HST and provincial sales tax where they apply, and check WCB/WSIB rules before hiring

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on lease terms, deposits, fit-out and how much valuable stock you buy. Read the lease carefully before signing, as these costs can vary widely by location.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on location, stock and season. The estimate assumes at least about 35 hours a week. Quiet seasons and team results can affect sales, so plan your cash flow.

Check your municipal business licence, signage and zoning rules, and your lease terms. Also check insurance for valuable stock, how to collect and remit GST/HST and provincial sales tax where they apply, and WCB/WSIB rules before hiring. Keep certificates for every signed piece.