How to Start a Yarn Store

Start a yarn store by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Yarn Store
2. Form your Yarn Store into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Yarn Store for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Yarn Store
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Yarn Store
7. Get Yarn Store Insurance
8. Define your Yarn Store Brand
9. Create your Yarn Store Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your yarn store. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Yarn Store Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a yarn store?

A yarn store costs about $20,000 to start. This price includes the store’s products, rent, utilities, account services, insurance, shop equipment, social media services, website services, and beginning employees. While $20,000 seems like a lot for a small shop, it will greatly contribute to your store’s marketing. As a local hobby supply store, you’ll need to gain as many customers as possible.

What are the ongoing expenses for a yarn store?

Ongoing expenses are relatively small. Expect to pay about $1 for a yarn skein. Monthly rent is about $2,000 for a small shop. Expect to pay $200 in utilities per month, and expect to pay employees between $8 and $10 per hour of work.

Who is the target market?

A yarn store’s return customers are crafting enthusiasts. The best customers are those who know what they’re looking for. A yarn store retains customers when those customers become part of a store’s “community.” Like small game shops and cafes, yarn stores succeed with the help of community efforts. It isn’t rare to see groups of knitting enthusiasts spend time in a yarn store. These customers will be your most lucrative customers, and they should be prioritized.

How does a yarn store make money?

A yarn store makes money by selling knitting supplies. They can also sell knitting books, guides, and other informative materials. Some yarn stores sell knitting enthusiast gifts, like mugs and t-shirts.

Yarn store owners can make money by growing a community. These communities can be charged for lessons, workshops, events, food, and trips. Yarn stores can also partner with nearby businesses, gaining community insight while striking deals.

How much can you charge customers?

One ball of yarn can be sold at about $3. 100-percent wool yarn skeins, meanwhile, can be charged at about $5. Other supplies, like books, can be sold for between $5 and $20. Keep the prices cheap. Yarn store shoppers will flock to whichever shop has the lowest prices.

How much profit can a yarn store make?

A small yarn supply store owner can expect to make about $25k to $30k per year. A successful shop owner can, however, make a six-figure salary. The success depends on the local economy, community involvement and the store’s product options.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Become as involved with the community as possible. Successful yarn stores don’t only offer products -- they offer experiences. Even a beginning yarn shop should engage its community as much as possible. Talk to local guilds, and host giveaways and trade-ins. Treat customers like family, and make sure every transaction is backed up by trust and a commitment to community.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your yarn store is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a yarn store. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting the SBA's reference to state licenses and permits.

Certificate of Occupancy

A yarn store is generally run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location:
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a yarn store.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.

• If you plan to purchase or build a location:
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your yarn store will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

A yarn store should be owned by someone who truly enjoys knitting. Good yarn store owners like supplying knitting supplies at low prices. They also enjoy spreading the knitting craft with others. Normally, yarn store owners host retreats, giveaways, and fun activities for customers.

Yarn store owners should be people-oriented. They need to connect with customers, focus on developing relationships, and enjoy ongoing knitting projects.

What happens during a typical day at a yarn store?

A yarn store owner needs to stock the supplies needed by knitters. They also need to supply different project outlines, yarn designs, and other tools.

Yarn store owners normally host workshops, too. Others may create guilds or enthusiast groups. Normally, these groups promote a sense of community while boosting store sales. Knitting projects take time to complete, but customers can finish them quickly if a yarn store owner is a good teacher.

From an administrative standpoint, a yarn store owner needs to supply the store’s goods, conduct maintenance, pay the bills, market, and manage workers. Customers need to be pleased, and any guilds need to be taken care of.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful yarn store?

A successful yarn store owner needs to understand the craft deeply. By understanding the craft, a store owner can attract new buyers, build up its current customer-base, and save money. As with any craft, customers will be attracted to whichever store offers the cheapest, most diverse product options.

What is the growth potential for a yarn store?

Any hobby supply store needs to balance self-sufficiency with growth potential. Because they’re often hole-in-the-wall type stores, they rely on local support to thrive. Larger yarn stores may want to expand their services. By offering general crafting supplies, a growing yarn store can compete in the national market.

For most yarn stores, however, becoming a go-to local choice is normally a goal. Unfortunately, a lot of local yarn store owners are forced out of business. To grow effectively, a yarn store owner needs to appeal to local communities while also having competitive prices. A good marketing strategy goes a long way.