Is it better to lease or buy the store and equipment?
Leasing is usually more expensive in the long run as you don’t own the property and you don’t control whether the lease continues. For most businesses owning is a rare option. Owning the building versus leasing it makes no sense if you don’t know if you will be around in 10 years. There are a number of factors but most likely leasing is ok. If you have been in business for 10 years and know you will for another 10 years then buying will have advantages. As to equipment, most equipment only lasts a few years. Afterwards it’s outdated and so buying isn’t the advantage it once was though some equipment purchases may make sense.