too many quilt shops closing
 

Well at the beginning of the week the county where I live had three quilt shops, but now all are closing. I really wish I knew how to go about opening one up. The only "quilt" shops are 40 minutes away from my home, other than JoAnns. I really like to quality of the material carried by the shops. I guess I will just have to stock up before they close for good.

Its too bad that the three stores couldn't have merged together . . .

See, that's a perfect example to me of how quilt shop owners may too often be hobbyists rather than business minded people. It really IS too bad they couldn't have gotten together, pooled their resources, created a new business plan and shop, and kept the community supplied.

I don't know your community, admittedly, but betting they were totally independent of each other and rarely encouraged customers to visit the other shops, or shared teachers, or coordinated their fabric buying plans. That's what too many shops do. So sad, so sad.

Jan in VA

[QUOTE=BArnold;5811036]Well at the beginning of the week the county where I live had three quilt shops, but now all are closing. I really wish I knew how to go about opening one up. The only "quilt" shops are 40 minutes away from my home, other than JoAnns. I really like to quality of the material carried by the shops. I guess I will just have to stock up before they close for good.
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where in Missouri?? I am in the Kansas City area

I'm also from Missouri and Borders, Bindings, and More closed last weekend, Blessings in O'Fallon, MO is closing, Patches in St Charles MO is closing and also The Quilted Garden (think that's the correct name) in Edwardville IL is also closing.

Also from MO here too - Lebanon. Yes, the quilt shops have better quality fabric - but if you buy all the fabric that you need for a quilt - front and back and the batting from them, then you cannot afford to buy it. Sad facts.

So sorry to hear of the quilt shops closing. I stopped into mine today! Was able to pick up two pieces of fabric for a quilt back. Both fabrics were priced at the old pricing .. thank goodness! I tell my family & friends that for birthday/holiday gifts, gift certificates from the local quilt shop is what I really appreciate. Have three I'm hanging onto ... waiting for the perfect fabric collection. Happy stocking up!

walmart has the rest of the store departments to fall back on, and they close their fabric department if it is not making enough money for them. joann, hancock's (not of paducah) and others, are able to close stores if they are not profitable enough. there is always another walmart or joann or other chain, but once the lqs is gone, it's gone.

It is sad when a quilt shop closes. But I agree that if you purchase all your fabric from them you'd need to win the lottery to afford to keep enjoying being a quilt maker.

If anyone should be in the Boston area then go to Fabric Place Basement in Natik - about 20 miles west of Boston just off the Interstate an across the street from Neimen Marcus. I had heard that it had reopened but had not been there. They were in the area until about 4 years ago and closed but now reopened. Quilt fabric (all brand names and current lines) are 4.99-6.99 with Batiks at 8.99. I gave a program there last night for a local guild and was amazed at the quantity available and especially the prices.