Neighborhood cutlery and kitchen knife shop

Home cooks, local restaurant cooks, gift shoppers and people buying wedding or housewarming presents.

Retail margin on knives and accessories, plus fees for sharpening and the occasional knife skills class or gift set.

• Deep knowledge of knives and how to explain them simply
• Customer service and selling
• Inventory buying and basic bookkeeping

• Commercial lease terms, deposits and build-out costs, so read the lease carefully before signing
• General liability and property insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• Local rules on selling certain blade types, so check state and city laws
• Slow seasons outside the holidays, so plan your cash flow
• Sharpening equipment safety, so train anyone who uses it

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your lease, deposit, build-out, stock and sharpening equipment. These are estimates, so read lease terms carefully and get quotes before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on location, range, sharpening services and how well you sell outside the holiday season. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, and rent and stock costs will vary.

Check commercial lease terms, deposits and build-out costs, and state and city laws on selling certain blade types. Also check general liability and property insurance, workers' compensation once you hire, and safety training for sharpening equipment.