Local trading card shop with play space

Local players, collectors, parents buying for kids, and people who come for events and stay to shop.

Product sales and buying collections from customers, plus event entry fees and table or snack sales. Online listings help sell stock beyond your neighborhood.

• Deep knowledge of one or more card games or sports cards
• Pricing and buying collections fairly
• Running events and welcoming a community
• Inventory and cash management

• Check your state's sales tax permit and local business license rules
• General liability and property insurance, especially with customers and valuable stock on site
• Distributors may set minimum orders or conditions for carrying new releases, so check terms before committing
• Stock tied up in sealed product can lose value, and rent is a fixed monthly cost, so plan for slow months
• Check zoning, occupancy limits and any rules about running events and serving snacks (a health permit may apply for food)

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your lease, fit-out, play tables and how much stock you buy. These are estimates. Sealed product can lose value, so plan your opening inventory carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, product mix and how many events you run. These are estimates. Rent is a fixed monthly cost, so plan for slower months.

Things to check: your state's sales tax permit and local business license rules, plus zoning, occupancy limits and rules about running events. A health permit may apply if you serve snacks. Also check distributor terms and insurance for customers and stock on site.