Tatiana is a business-minded writer who creates informative articles to share insights with other entrepreneurs.

If you have an eye for antiques and good people skills, then perhaps your dream job is opening an antique store!

Just think about it for a minute; you can be your own boss and be surrounded by things that you love! Who wouldn’t want that?

Opening an Antique Store

One of the hardest parts of having your own business is figuring out where to start! Lucky for you, you don’t typically need any special schooling to have such a store. It pays to know your business well, so be sure to brush up on your antique identification skills!

As with any kind of business, you will need to secure the appropriate licensing and permits in order to lawfully do business (i.e. for tax purposes). This involves registering your business at a state level with the state’s Division of Corporations and again on a more local level, with the county and/or city.

As far as location is concerned, you have to think of locations that would have the antique-loving crowd! Your business is geared toward a very specific crowd of people, as not everyone will stop to marvel for a while at antiques. So, in order to maximize traffic in your store, consider having it in places such as a flea market, shopping mall, downtown shopping district, or near thrift stores. Most young people don’t have a taste for antiques, so it wouldn’t make sense to put it in a plaza that contains a tattoo shop, a bar, and a nightclub. Common sense goes a long way in this aspect of starting your business!

Once you have a location secured and it is registered with your business, you need to make sure you have enough stock on hands to open a store! Not only do you need to shop around for antiques, but you will need shelving for your store. Buying shelving and display cases doesn’t have to cost a fortune. As a matter of fact, checking craigslist for these things usually yields results from closing stores trying to liquidate everything, so take advantage of this!

As far as stocking the store goes, check with local storage units to see if they will be holding auctions any time soon. This is a great way to score some great valuables for a small buck! Keep in mind, though, that it could go the other way and you may end up with a unit that looked promising, but contains nothing of value. Tread carefully!

Quick tip: To increase traffic to your store, have an online presence. From putting items up for auction on eBay to posting some of the things you have for sale on Craigslist, you will certainly increase your exposure, which means more money!

How to Name Your Business

Antique Store Names

Antique store names are pretty easy to come up with, and you should put a lot of thought into it since it will be your business for many years to come! Here’s a few tips worth considering:

• Use antique: Nothing says antique store like antique in the business name! It’s nice to let people know up front what kind of business you have, and it can help draw in more customers when they see your name in the yellow pages!
• Use your name: Proud business owners have every right to use their name in their business name!
• Use a rhyme: Rhymes are one of the most catchy things you can use in a name, and catchy means more business because of a more memorable name!
• Location, location, location: Use the location in antique store names, especially if it is a particularly well-known area, will help people to locate you as if you have been there all along!

Considering the tips above, start making your list of ideas. Here is my list to help you along!

Antique stores are a pleasure to be around, and if you decide to open your own, it’s a decision that you won’t regret if you really have a love for them!

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Comments

Ebele on August 31, 2020:

I am looking for a cleaning products meaningful names

Margarito on August 13, 2020:

I am looking for a name for a Antique and consignment store.

Daniel on July 12, 2020:

Name of enterprise

Ahmed Abd elbary on September 05, 2018:

Name of gallery store

Deano on May 17, 2018:

Lokking for a name for an Antique store with a Riverboat theme.

Abhishek on September 04, 2017:

Hii I would have to know which name is best for my business

Jeremy Stone on July 12, 2017:

Looking for a name for my antique business.

Johann on May 20, 2017:

Please HELP

Like to have a catchy name for antique/vintage including current art and craft items -- will be a tiny shop

Sheryl Hunt Hunt3571@bellsouth.net on March 20, 2017:

I am needing a name for my antique/vintage booth. I need the name in a hurry, like a week, it's a vintage/ antique/ majolica very upscale items. I am sharing my booth with my ex-sister-in-law, we always have keep a wonderful relationship. I choose not to speak of her ex-husband. Anyway, we have sorta thought of "Thelma and Louise". Would love to have some feedback. Thanks.

Jessica Paczkowski on December 31, 2016:

I'm looking for a name for a online store for women's shoes, clothing and bags, jewelry and another one for vintage items