Sunglasses and fashion eyewear shop
Open a small store selling sunglasses with style advice and quick repairs like screw fixes and nose pad swaps.
- $15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
11,719 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year
NAICS 446130 “Optical goods stores”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small retail store selling sunglasses and non-prescription fashion eyewear, with friendly style advice and simple repairs such as tightening screws, replacing nose pads and adjusting fit.
Your first three steps
- Research local foot traffic and rents, and visit competitors to see their price range and styles
- Contact a few wholesalers or brand reps and ask about minimum orders and terms for a first stock order
- Price a small unit or kiosk lease and get quotes for general liability and property insurance
Who pays
Local shoppers, tourists, beachgoers, drivers and anyone who wants a new pair or a quick fix.
How it makes money
Markup on each pair sold, plus accessories like cases and cords, and small fees for repairs. Busy foot traffic and seasonal peaks matter a lot.
Skills that help
- Eye for style and trends
- Customer service and friendly selling
- Buying and stock control
- Basic hands-on repair skills
Watch out for
- Check city or county business license and your state's sales tax registration requirements
- Check that you are only selling non-prescription eyewear, as selling prescription lenses may need a state optician license
- Beware of counterfeit brands from unverified suppliers, buy only from authorized sources
- Check lease terms, deposits and how seasonal slow months will affect rent
- Look into UV protection labeling rules and be careful with health claims about protection
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: sunglasses and fashion eyewear shop
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open a sunglasses shop?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your premises, lease deposit, shop fit-out and how much stock you buy. Treat this as a planning estimate and check lease terms carefully.
How much can a sunglasses shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on location, foot traffic and your range of styles. Seasonal slow months can affect income, so consider how rent will be covered then.
What licenses and rules should I check?
Check your city or county business license and state sales tax registration. Check that you sell only non-prescription eyewear, since prescription lenses may need a state optician license. Buy from authorized sources to avoid counterfeits, and check UV labeling rules.
Other ways to run this business
Sunglasses stall at markets and events
Sell sunglasses from a stall at farmers markets, flea markets, festivals and beach towns, with no lease to sign.
- $800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online sunglasses store
Sell curated sunglasses and fashion eyewear online from home, shipping orders to customers across the country.
- $1k-6k
- Side hustle
- Online
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