text: Your startup costs will depend on several factors:\n\n- cost of lease in your area\n- size of the space you will be leasing for the bookstore\n- leasehold improvements\n- initial store facilities\n- initial inventory\n- equipment (credit card terminals, security alarms, etc)\n- insurance\n- legal (permits, licenses, lawyer to help with legal structure)\n- presale marketing and advertising\n\nThe space and improvements will be your biggest expense. One of my clients started a bookstore in the Washington DC area last year, and her startup costs reached as high as $128,000. If you live in an area with lower cost of living, you may be able to start with lower amounts.\n\nOne resource I highly recommend is the Christian Booksellers Association http://www.cbaonline.org/  In July there is an International Christian Retail Show  http://www.christianretailshow.com/ that you may want to check out