25 Unique Brick & Mortar Shop Ideas For 2023
Are you thinking of starting brick and mortar business ideas but not quite sure where to start?
Finding the most profitable brick and mortar businesses that will do well in your locality may seem overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are plenty of best brick and mortar business ideas you can start with little capital.
We put together 26 brick and mortar business ideas for you here:
1. Start a bento box shop
Bento boxes are a popular container for carrying packed food to school or workplaces. While the bento boxes may be widespread across the globe, their history started in Japan hundreds of decades ago.
The lunch boxes are popular among the health-conscious population who prefer packed home food to fast-food eateries in the city. Starting a bento box shop in your neighborhood could be profitable, especially if you have students and working professionals in your area.
Hi, my name is Thomas Bertrand, I’m from France and I've been living in Japan since 2003. I started my online store Bento&Co in November of 2008.
In 2016, I also started a new business, a SaaS for online sellers in Japan to manage shipments, called Ship&Co.
2. Start a lighting store
The lighting fixtures market will reach a CAGR of 5.4% over the next few years. The massive demand for modern lighting fixtures will fuel the market growth as consumers look to optimize power consumption and save more on utility bills.
Thus, starting an interior and exterior lighting fixtures store can be a profitable business venture. If you are passionate about supplying lighting fixtures, consider setting up a brick-and-mortar shop in your neighborhood.
If you already have an online store that is doing well, you can target the areas with a high demand for lighting fixtures and open a physical store there.
I’m Nick Griffiths. For 25 years I was a freelance journalist in London; now I run Any Old Lights, selling vintage nautical and industrial lighting, online and from a shop by the sea in Cornwall, UK. You never quite know where life will take you!
Any Old Lights has won awards along the way and keeps growing in popularity, selling worldwide to anyone from high-street giants and celebrity bars to Middle Eastern hotel groups, turning over last year £250,000.
3. Start a Backyard Plant Nursery
Do you have a gardening hobby and want to turn your passion into a profitable business with a minimum entry barrier?
Starting a backyard plant nursery is relatively easy, and the financial benefits can be rewarding. The secret to maximizing your profitability is specializing in plants that are in high demand, like vegetables and flowers.
To start, you can visit the nearby retail nurseries for seedlings and see what they stock and retail. To keep the startup cost low, consider using locally available materials.
My name is Debbie Odom and I am a horticulturist and the co-founder of Camelliashop.com.
4. Start a party supply store
If you love fun activities and helping other people enjoy their parties, starting a party store in your neighborhood can be a rewarding and profitable business.
Party stores sell balloons, decorations, costumes, novelties, confectionaries, theme party wear, and other party supplies.
If you are starting a party store, you may choose to join it as an affiliate or enter a franchise. A party store is a low-to-entry business venture and can be rewarding in the long run.
I'm Dean Salakas Chief Party Dude at The Party People. Our goal is to help people have the parties of their dreams. We are Australia’s largest party store selling balloons, decorations, costumes, novelties, confectionary, theme partyware, and anything else you could possibly want for a party.
5. Start a pet store
Pet stores are retail businesses that sell animals and pet supplies. They are a leading industry category with sales of approximately $4.5B U.S dollars and positive sales growth of 2.7%.
You can set up a pet store in many places, like supermarkets, malls, or pet supply stores.
The first thing to do is to find a location for your store. A good place would be an area with many residential buildings, schools, and colleges as this will give you access to many customers. It would help if you also looked for a location near public transport as it will make it easier for people to come and visit your store.
I am Mike Leon, mechanical engineer, an avid bike rider, service dog trainer and inventor of the 1-Running-Dog Bike Tow LeashⓇ for safe bike, trike, scooter, and wheelchair dog-rides.
I am the owner of LEON Engineering, Inc. We design, build and sell the 1-Running-Dog Bike Tow Leash® to dog owners, walkers, trainers, military and law enforcement, search and rescue and those with special needs. Having sold less than 200 BTLs prior, My on-the-side hobby turned into a true business in 2009 with the launch of our first website. We went from shipping hundreds/year to thousands/year. Now, our business allows me to work comfortably from home, making 6 figures, while caring for my wife and enriching the lives of tens of thousands of dogs and their humans.
6. Start a board game business
Creating your own board game can be fun, challenging, and rewarding. Games are an integral part of our culture and are played by people from all walks of life.
You can create a board game from scratch with basic programming knowledge or several hours of practice. Board games are easy to manufacture, can be made from home, and can become top-rated and profitable businesses.
Hi! I’m Jamey Stegmaier, and I run Stonemaier Games, a tabletop game company based in St. Louis. We publish strategy games like Wingspan, Scythe, and Viticulture.
Stonemaier Games started with a Kickstarter campaign in 2012 that raised $65,980, and in 2020 our annual revenue eclipsed $18 million. Our latest game, Red Rising, is shown here (photo credit: Tim Chuon).
7. Start an eco-friendly toy business
The toy industry is one of the most plastic-intensive industries globally. People who appreciate the need to be environmentally friendly are switching to sustainable toy options.
A sustainable toy features renewable, natural materials like wood, fabric, rubber, or bamboo.
Sustainable and eco-friendly toys are in high demand across the globe as they promote environmental conservation goals.
Identify a supplier and stock your shop if you want to start an eco-friendly toy business. Be sure to partner with environment-conscious manufacturers. Alternatively, you can start the production of sustainable toys and sell them at wholesale or retail prices.
8. Start a cupcakes shop
The global confectionery market will grow at a CAGR of 3.8% and reach USD 242.53 billion in the next few years. The global increase in demand is attributable to the market’s demand and growth and the increasing shift towards luxurious and premium confectionaries.
If you are interested in starting a business in the confectionery industry, you may consider baking and stocking cupcakes. There is no one-size-fits-a when it comes to the production of cupcakes. You can open a home-based bakery or a hybrid model where you have the bakery with a café.
My name is Amanda Bradford and I own Bradford Bakery. I started in the culinary industry 15 years ago and have done everything from restaurants to the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday cake and celebrity catering events.
Our customers reach out to us because they know they are getting quality products that will meet the needs of their event and their dietary restrictions if they have any! We are a favorite of our local community and love that people are spreading the word about our business to their friends which we are seeing in our growing client list! Even in the past few months we have seen a 550% increase in our SEO on google and filled more orders for the community just by them recommending us and searching us on the web!
9. Start a flower shop
Do you enjoy designing floral arrangements for special events like weddings or holidays? If so, owning a flower shop can be exciting and rewarding.
However, setting up the business for success can be overwhelming.
As a florist, your role is to touch people’s emotions with the flowers. The career requires creativity and design skills to appeal to your target customers. You need to love and enjoy working with flowers and have some patience.
My name is Carlos Franco, and I am the owner and creative director at Green Fresh Florals + Plants, San Diego's premier modern flower and plant shop located in Hillcrest.
I’ve been connected to Mother Earth my entire life and became a professional florist in my early 20’s. I opened Green in its current location in July 2009. Before that, I had a shop located in the East Village neighborhood in downtown San Diego.
10. Start a kitchenware and home essentials shop
Kitchenware and home essentials supplies remain a traditional retail business globally. Even in this era of the internet, people prefer purchasing kitchenware and home essentials from brick and mortar stores.
Therefore, if you plan to start a kitchen supplies business, you may consider opening a physical store.
Do you want to start a kitchenware and home essentials store? You can purchase a struggling store or start from scratch. Remember, location is a significant factor in the approach, so focus on the high-traffic areas like near residential locations.
I and my husband Mr. Chirag Visaria are the founder and director of the brand PDD Falcon. I am an IT professional, turned into a woman entrepreneur leading the family legacy and aspiring to manifest my expertise in the 35-year-old family business.
The brand began with a small t.o. of 10 l in the first year. But today we stand at a forecast of 12 cr and above for f.y. 2022-23 with the company valued at 25Cr. It’s purely due to the support of our channel partners. Before the closing of this financial year, we shall expand our offline network to 60 distributors reaching out to more than 8000 dealers. More sales are expected to come from export avenues.
11. Start a book store
Starting a bookstore is a great way to start a small business.
Bookstores are found anywhere, from the smallest towns to the largest cities. Perhaps you have thought of running your bookstore . People need to read and buy books, and that’s been true for thousands of years. A bookstore is also a great central location where people can browse and purchase books.
Listed are the steps to start a bookstore business.
- Register your business
- Get all required permits and licenses.
- Organize your business operational flow
- Promote your business
12. Start a healthy bake shop
Pastries aren't known for being a healthy cooking choice. However, with various ingredients, you can start a healthy bake shop.
Baked goods businesses have been around for many years. However, over that period, people have realized that baking is not a heart-friendly cooking method.
Starting a healthy bake shop can be profitable and satisfying. To start, find a good location and market your business. In addition, you should ensure compliance with your state's health department.
Hi, I'm Ashley Drummonds, and I am the creator of the ABS Protein Pancakes High Protein-Low Carb meal replacement line! The ABS Protein Pancakes is an All Natural, High Protein, Low Carb Meal Replacement that allows people to enjoy pancakes and waffles every day while sticking to a healthy nutrition program.
We have three flavors of ABS Protein Pancakes: Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Cake Batter, and Cinnamon Roll. It's great for fitness enthusiasts, those who follow a low carb nutrition program, on a weight loss program, or anyone who just wants to enjoy a healthier option for pancakes and waffles. It's also great for individuals on a low sugar or gluten-free diet, or if you're just looking to get more protein on a daily basis!
13. Start a hair extensions business
The hair extensions industry offers hairpieces and wigs for aesthetic and medical purposes. People looking for hair extensions are concerned about regular hair styling, so they prefer them.
If you follow hair and beauty trends and are passionate about starting a business in the beauty industry, you can start a brick-and-mortar hair extensions business. Research the market and find out the type of hair in demand.
- Vivian Kaye is the creator and CEO of KinkyCurlyYaki, a high-end black women's textured hair extension line that has grown to $6 million in sales without using paid advertising.
- She made the decision in 2012 to start a business that offered more than just high-quality, kinky, curly, and realistic-looking textured hair extensions.
- This brand offers a collection of 100% virgin human hair that is available in 6 textures and a wide range of coverage options to help you achieve your goal.
- The enterprise prospered in 2013 and made around $500,000 in sales in just one year of launching.
Read the full story on thestar.com ➜
14. Start a cosmetic store
The cosmetic industry is growing rapidly. Starting a cosmetic shop can be highly profitable, but only if you stock trendy, skin-friendly products.
If you are passionate about the beauty industry, consider starting a cosmetics brick-and-mortar shop.
Cosmetic shops sell products ranging from anti-aging, aromatherapy, lotions, beauty spa, cosmetic store, and even make-up.
To start a cosmetic store, research the market and source products from well-known brands in the beauty industry.
My name is Alexis Evans aka Da Mademoiselle. I am a native of South Florida who has started a cosmetic and skincare company named FBI Cosmetics d/b/a Flawlessly Beautiful Individual in the middle of a pandemic.
I am also the owner of Boss Talk Expo an annual expo and conference company. I branched out into the beauty industry, I started FBI Cosmetics off with just lipsticks and have progressed into the skincare business in December. I have grossed over $62,000 in sales. People ask where the name comes from and I tell people “it’s a crime to be so damn beautiful.”
15. Start a candy shop
Nothing is as enticing as a display of colorful and yummy sweet treats. Adults, teens to little kids will spend money on sweet treats. Therefore, opening a candy shop can be profitable and a fun business. Luckily, a candy shop is a low-capital business yet very profitable.
You can start as a distributor, wholesaler, or retailer, and as you learn the industry dynamics, turn to candy making business.
16. Start a sports collectible shop
Experts estimate that the sports memorabilia market will record a growth rate of 15.6% to reach $12.2 Billion over the next few years. The growth rate is partly fueled by the rise of NFTs or non-fungible tokens.
Therefore, starting a sports collectible shop in 2023 can be a great business idea.
Hi, I'm Hamish from Bay Sports. We offer a wide range of Kayaks, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boards, Inflatable Air Pontoons, Surf Skis and growing. We started with just kayaks, and branched out to become a more holistic online water sports business.
Being able to run the business online via Shopify has allowed us to offer pricing well below what our customers see in bricks and mortar shops, and as >70% of our customers shop online via a mobile device, a beautiful mobile experience has been importance and imperative for us to deliver.
17. Start a home brewing supply shop
The home brewing supply shop is a business that sells all the supplies you need to make your own beer.
You will be in charge of buying, stocking, and selling all supplies needed for making beer. You may also be in charge of training customers on how to use the equipment and ingredients needed for home brewing.
The market is ripe for the picking. This is a new industry with tons of growth potential, and the market is wide open for you to make a name for yourself in the space.
You'll need to do some research before you jump in, of course. But once you've done that, we recommend starting small with one type of product—like beer or wine kits—and building from there. If you do it right, you'll be able to turn your home brewing supply business into an empire that will bring in millions annually!
My name is Diego Benitez and I run Progress Brewing (http://progress-brewing.com) Progress brews and sells craft beer in a wide variety of styles exclusively at its tasting room in the city of South El Monte, approximately 12 miles East of Downtown Los Angeles.
Article Sources:
- E-commerce share of retail sales revenue in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2020 to 2025 at Statista
- Brick And Mortar Sales Grew Faster Than E-Commerce In 2021 at Forbes
- Brick-and-Mortar Stores vs. Online Stores Statistics [2022] at Fundera
18. Start a vinyl record shop
19. Start an artisan donut shop
20. Start a holiday pop-up shop business
A pop-up holiday shop refers to a short-term, temporary retail event during the holiday season, often in winter.
Setting up an online or a brick & mortar pop-up shop provides a practical way for entrepreneurs to tap into the year's biggest shopping season.
21. Start a costume business
22. Become a scrapbooker business
Scrapbooking is a creative hobby that involves designing and putting together a visually appealing album of memories and memorable moments. It can be a great business idea for those passionate about crafting and design.
To start a scrapbooking business, you will need a few essential supplies such as paper, stickers, markers, and other decorative items. You may also need a computer and photo editing software to create digital layouts and designs.
For success, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the different scrapbooking techniques and styles. It would help if you also were skilled in design, creativity, and customer service.
Several ways to offer scrapbooking services include hosting parties, creating customized albums for clients, or selling scrapbooking supplies. You can also consider offering online classes or tutorials to teach others how to scrapbook.
Marketing your business is crucial to attracting potential customers. You can use social media, online directories, and local advertising to showcase your skills and services. You can also consider joining local craft fairs and events to showcase your work and connect with other crafters.
Overall, a scrapbooking business can be a rewarding and fulfilling venture for those passionate about creativity and design. You can turn your hobby into a successful business with the right skills, supplies, and marketing efforts.
23. Start a butcher shop
Starting a butcher business involves sourcing and procuring high-quality meats from local farms or suppliers, preparing and processing them for sale, and selling them to customers in a retail storefront or through wholesale channels. To start and run a successful butcher business, you will need a deep understanding of the different cuts of meat and how to prepare them for sale, as well as excellent customer service skills and a strong business sense.
You will need to secure a location for your business, whether a physical storefront or a processing facility. You will also need to invest in equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, meat processing equipment, and tools like knives and cutting boards. You will need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits to operate your business. You may also need to seek insurance coverage to protect your business against potential liability.
Marketing your business is also crucial to success, whether through online channels, social media, or traditional marketing methods. Building relationships with local farms and suppliers can also be beneficial, as well as developing partnerships with restaurants and other food-based businesses.
Running a butcher business requires dedication, hard work, and a passion for quality meats. With the right planning and execution, however, it can be a rewarding and successful venture.
24. Start an antique instrument business
25. Start a balloon shop
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
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