- 1). Research and write a comprehensive business plan for your tobacco and pipe shop. A business plan needs to cover all the details of opening a business, from location to financing to permits to inventory to employees to business hours to online presence to a marketing plan. Location, inventory and marketing are probably the three most important categories for a tobacco shop.
- 2). File for a "doing business as" (DBA) registration at your local Florida county clerk or registrar's office if you are operating as a sole proprietorship. If you have legally structured your tobacco and pipe shop as a corporation or partnership, no DBA is required. A DBA is just a legal registration of your business name, and a corporation automatically operates legally under the name it was filed under.
- 3). Register your business with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, to pay sales taxes. Apply with the appropriate local city or county authorities to get a retail business permit.
- 4). Contact the Florida Department of Business Professional Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, to apply for a retail tobacco products dealer permit. There is a $50 fee to apply for a retail tobacco products dealer permit, and you must renew your permit annually.
- 5). Purchase inventory, hire employees as necessary, set up your website, stock your shelves, display your permits and prepare to open your new pipe and tobacco shop. Double-check local regulations before ordering or installing any signs for your business.