Independent neighbourhood wine shop

Local households, gift buyers, small restaurants and cafés, and event hosts planning parties or weddings.

You buy stock at wholesale or from the provincial distributor and sell it at retail prices. Extra income can come from case discounts, gift sets, tasting events and supplying local restaurants.

• Knowledge of wine and willingness to keep learning
• Buying and stock control
• Friendly customer service and selling
• Basic bookkeeping

• Provincial rules differ a lot: some provinces run retail through government stores or allow only limited private outlets, so check your provincial liquor regulator first
• Licence applications can take months and may involve background checks, zoning approval and community notice, so check timelines and fees
• Staff may need responsible service training, and you must check ID and refuse sales to minors or intoxicated people
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for theft and stock, and WCB/WSIB once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Opening stock ties up a lot of cash, and margins and pricing can be set or limited by provincial rules, so check them before committing to a lease
• Check GST/HST, provincial sales tax and any alcohol-specific taxes or mark-ups with an accountant

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $70,000 to $250,000, depending on premises, licensing and opening stock. Stock ties up a lot of cash, and pricing can be limited by provincial rules, so check before committing to a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on location, range and provincial rules. Check GST/HST, provincial sales tax and any alcohol-specific taxes or mark-ups with an accountant.

Provincial rules differ a lot, and some provinces run retail through government stores, so check your provincial liquor regulator first. Licence applications may take months and involve background checks, zoning approval and community notice.