Open a Neighborhood Record Store

Local collectors, music fans, students, gift shoppers and people selling their collections.

Margin on used records bought from the public, margin on new releases and accessories, and extra income from events, merchandise and online sales.

• Deep music knowledge across genres
• Pricing used stock fairly
• Customer service and community building
• Inventory and bookkeeping

• Check your state's sales tax registration rules and any local business license or zoning rules for retail
• Commercial leases can be long and costly, so have someone review the terms and negotiate break clauses if possible
• Check general liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
• Used stock takes time to build and sell, so plan enough cash to cover rent for several months
• New release margins are thin, so the used side often matters more

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on your lease, fixtures, opening stock and insurance. Plan enough cash to cover rent for several months while used stock builds up.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on location, stock mix and events. New release margins are thin, so the used side often matters more. This is revenue, not profit.

Check your state's sales tax registration rules and any local business license or zoning rules for retail. Have someone review commercial lease terms, and check general liability, property insurance and workers' compensation once you hire.