Want to start up a hookah lounge, start up cost, what do i need?

[thedream516]

So i want to start up a hookah lounge in upstate NY, i dont want to sell alcohol. I have looked at real estate prices/property taxes up there and they are pretty cheap. Any ideas on how much capital i need to start this up? I believe that i need a tobacco resell license. I have around $60,000 to invest in, do you think that is enough? Tips would be great, thanks!

[mschulze]

I'm in Denver, Co and I'm going to be opening my own hookah bar in the next year. $60000 would be plenty out here to get a pretty decent hookah bar started, but I know things are much more expensive in NY. Take a look at online prices for bulk hookah and furniture pricing. Also be really sure to talk to a competent regulatory attorney about potential smoking laws there. Here in Co they are a major pain in a lot of cities near Denver. And be sure to work with a competent real estate broker. They will end up saving you their commisson several times over in the long run(and even if they screw up, they have to be insured against erros like that). Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

[sur100]

Thedream - Have you looked in to licensing? I am looking to set up a lounge in NJ and am not sure how to go about obtaining licensing and what the costs involved are. Can anyone help?