| At one time or another, many people have thought | | | | to generate money during the rest of the year. |
| about opening their own business - after all it is the | | | | Also, you could conceivably need a part-time person |
| American dream. For those who haunt the antique | | | | working for you. Should you get sick, it would be |
| shops because they can't resist a good deal on either | | | | better to pay someone to keep the shop open |
| an antique or a collectible, opening an antique shop is | | | | rather than close it. You can't make any money if the |
| a marriage made in heaven - the best of both worlds. | | | | door is locked. In addition, you might have to go look |
| Being your own boss, making your own hours and | | | | at merchandise people have for sale during shop |
| doing what you want when you want can be very | | | | hours so you will need to have someone cover for |
| seductive. It can also be a threat to your financial | | | | you. |
| security if you don't do it right. Having an antique | | | | As you can see, there is a lot to consider as well as |
| shop can be somewhat lucrative if the moon is in the | | | | a lot to pay for. You will need to sell quite a bit of |
| Seventh House and Jupiter aligns with Mars. | | | | merchandise to cover the monthly bills. What is left |
| Otherwise it is a great way to supplement your | | | | over, less the cost of the merchandise you sold, |
| income as long as you have some business savvy | | | | belongs to you. |
| and you watch the money very carefully. Those | | | | There is a less expensive way to have what could |
| antique dealers who can support themselves on their | | | | qualify as your own "shop" and that would be to rent |
| antique businesses alone are the exception, not the | | | | space in an antique mall. It will cost you less money |
| rule. | | | | and give you much more freedom to go on the hunt |
| Determining whether or not opening your own shop | | | | for new and exciting merchandise that will entice |
| is the best course of action for you will require some | | | | customers. Antique malls usually have different size |
| due diligence. There are many things to think about | | | | spaces from which to choose, ranging from just a |
| before you make such a commitment. There's | | | | single showcase to a complete room. You can be as |
| money, money and then there's money. If you have | | | | big or as small as you want. |
| a decent amount of capital set aside then opening an | | | | You will have to pay for the space you rent in a mall, |
| antique shop is probably viable. Keep in mind though | | | | same as you would in a stand along shop. The mall |
| that it will take you a long time to make your initial | | | | will also take a percentage of each item they sell for |
| investment back - a small to average size shop can | | | | you - 10% to 15% is standard. Before you jump the |
| only generate so much cash each month after all the | | | | gun and say that's too much, consider all the things |
| bills are paid. | | | | that you don't have to pay. There are no utility bills, |
| Your start up costs will include 2 to 3 months rent, | | | | no advertising costs and no part-time employee. |
| utilities to include security deposits, signs for the front | | | | Some antique malls ask their dealers to work a |
| of the building and the windows, supplies, display | | | | couple of days a month for free to help cover the |
| cabinets, advertising and an adequate supply of | | | | floor. This is in everyone's best interest because it |
| antiques and collectibles. It is vital that you have | | | | cuts down on theft. Other than these few days, you |
| enough inventory. When you add all of the monthly | | | | are free to do other things while your antiques and |
| bills together and then divide that number by the | | | | collectibles are on view for all to see and hopefully |
| square footage of your shop, you will realize that it is | | | | buy. |
| expensive real estate and every inch of that real | | | | With extra time on your hands, as well as some |
| estate has to make you money. | | | | extra cash, you can find a lot more antiques and |
| Make sure you choose a location that has good | | | | collectibles out in the market than you ever would |
| traffic and ample parking. It would be beneficial for | | | | have found being tied to your own shop all day, |
| you to be located near other antique shops so you | | | | every day. You may even decide to expand at some |
| can capitalize on their trade. The state and town in | | | | point by renting more space in other malls. Just |
| which your shop will be situated is also important. If | | | | remember to keep them full of great wares at all |
| you are in a tourist area then your business could be | | | | times. |
| seasonal. Decide how you are going to use your shop | | | | |