Neighborhood chocolate shop

Gift buyers, tourists, local families, office workers and people ordering for weddings, holidays and corporate gifts.

Retail margin on each item sold, with higher sales around Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays. Custom gift boxes and corporate orders add larger sales.

• Choosing products that sell
• Customer service
• Stock control and cash handling
• Merchandising and gift packaging

• Local business license and state sales tax registration, check with your city, county and state
• If you make or repackage chocolate yourself, check food permits and health department rules for your state
• Lease costs and a long lease commitment, negotiate carefully
• Strong seasonal swings in sales, plan cash flow for slow months
• Chocolate melts and goes out of date, check storage, temperature control and allergen labeling rules
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your location, lease, shop fit-out and how much stock you buy or make. Check lease terms carefully, as it is a long commitment.

Check your local business license and state sales tax registration with your city, county and state. If you make or repackage chocolate yourself, check food permits and health department rules, plus storage and allergen labeling.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, range and foot traffic. Sales can swing seasonally, so plan cash flow for slow months. These are estimates only.