Neighbourhood teahouse with a quiet seating room

Locals, students, remote workers, older customers, friends meeting up, and visitors looking for a relaxed stop.

Selling tea by the pot or cup and snacks for eating in. Extra income can come from packaged loose-leaf tea, teaware, gift sets and booked afternoon tea for groups.

• Knowledge of teas and how to brew them
• Welcoming customer service
• Basic cooking or baking, or sourcing from local bakers
• Budgeting and managing a lease

• Food premises permit and inspections from your local public health unit, plus food handler or food safety certification (check provincial rules)
• Zoning, building and signage rules from your municipality, and French-language requirements if you are in Quebec
• Commercial general liability insurance and the terms of a commercial lease
• Quiet periods, especially in summer heat or slow winter weeks, so plan cash reserves
• Workers' compensation (WCB or WSIB) registration and employment standards once you hire staff

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $40,000 to $180,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and seating, kitchen or food prep needs, and your starting stock of teas and teaware.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on location, seating, menu and opening hours. That is revenue before costs, and quiet summer or winter weeks mean cash reserves are worth planning for.

Check the food premises permit and inspections from your local public health unit, food handler certification, zoning, building and signage rules, and French-language requirements in Quebec. Also check commercial liability insurance, lease terms, and WCB or WSIB registration when you hire.