Tableware Shop with a Storefront

Local households, wedding gift buyers, tourists and small hospitality businesses buying replacement or new tableware.

You buy from wholesalers and sell at retail markup. Repeat income comes from restaurant orders, wedding registries and holiday gift sales.

• Buying and stock control
• Customer service and selling
• Managing a budget and lease

• Commercial lease terms: check length, rent increases and who pays for fit-out
• Municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules (check with your municipality)
• Stock tied up in slow-selling ranges, so start small and reorder what sells
• GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration and collection
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus breakage and theft
• WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff (rules differ by province)

Startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on your lease, fit-out and how much stock you buy. These are estimates, and starting with a smaller range lets you reorder what sells instead of tying up cash.

Monthly revenue is typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on location, range and how well you reach households, gift buyers and local restaurants. Slow-selling ranges tie up stock, so these are revenue estimates rather than profit.

Check your commercial lease terms, including length, rent increases and who pays for fit-out. Also check municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules, GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration, insurance for liability, property, breakage and theft, and WCB or WSIB coverage if you hire.