Starting a Hobby Shop

[bdgiantman2]

I have been tempting over the possibility of starting own hobby store business in greater Denver area with a strong emphasis on ship building and hobby woodworking in general. Would also include woodburning for making kits and potentially a 3D printer. I admit that I don't know anything about CNC which some people have been making incredible items using.  With permission would like to partner with certain individuals selling merchandise.  Just trying to get a potential feel for clientele and overall feedback about starting up such a business.

 

Brian D  

[ccoyle]

Are you thinking about starting a brick-and-mortar business or internet/mail order? Hobby shops in general have had a tough go of things in recent years, and ship building is a pretty niche hobby (I can't speak to the popularity of 'hobby woodworking in general').

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  You could consider starting an ETSY shop online.  The overhead costs are minimal if it is home-based, and ETSY collects applicable sales taxes and handles the money side of the transactions ... although there are fees for that.  It took my Admiral a couple years to gain a reputation for her historic costume products, but she's done OK as a 'cottage industry'.

[ScottRC]

On-line is the only way to make a go at it because the market is so specific and margins small.  Ask any of the number of folk here on MSW who are running hobby specific businesses.  The overhead and supply chain costs to maintain a storefront is no longer affordable, hence why the decline of the traditional hobby shop.  Starting small, like with ETSY as was suggested, or with Facebook Market is a start.