Locker banks placed in local venues

Visitors and guests who need a safe place for bags, coats and valuables. The venue owner is your partner and usually receives a share of the takings.

Fee per use or per hour from each locker, typically split with the venue under a written agreement. More lockers in busy places means more uses per day.

• Approaching business owners and negotiating a simple deal
• Basic repairs and keeping equipment tidy
• Organizing a regular collection and maintenance route

• Get a written agreement with each venue covering revenue share, who pays for damage, and how either side can end it
• General liability insurance, and ask whether it covers lost or stolen items stored in your lockers
• Check with your city or county about a business license, and with your state about sales tax on storage fees
• Check accessibility rules (ADA) for locker height and placement before installing
• Decide how you will handle abandoned items and prohibited items, and post clear signs
• Vandalism and breakdowns, so plan regular visits to collect money and check each unit

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on whether you buy new or used locker banks and how many you place. These are estimates, so get quotes for the equipment you plan to use.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on the venues you secure, their foot traffic and your revenue share. The estimate assumes at least about 5 hours of work per week.

Get a written agreement covering revenue share, damage and how either side can end it. Check liability insurance for lost or stolen items, your city or county business license, state sales tax on storage fees, and ADA rules for locker height and placement.