Ihave been quilting for many years. The economy has certainly taken it's toal on independant quilt stores and in our case our local Jo-anns closed with no warning. I Live in MA on the South Shore close to the Cape Cod canel . In the past four years 3 iqs have had to close due to losing sales and price increases.
In order to purshase quilting materials we have to travel 20 - 30 miles--- very disapointing and time consuming.

I have to drive that and further to get to the better deals, so I make each trip count :D:D:D

I know. The LQS 6 miles away closed this summer. There are none close to me but I feel lucky since I live just 30 min from Jo-Ann's corporate HQ and go to the store there in Hudson Ohio. I call it 'the Mother Ship' :)

i have a 2 LQS within 10 minutes, a joann's is opening next month 15 minutes away, and the walmart here has always had fabric and thats 30 minutes away.

with that said 5 LQS have closed down within 20 minutes of my home.

clearly we had an over saturation - there is no need for 7 LQS within 20 minute drive.

There is a LQS within 3 miles of me, but their prices are so far out of my range. There is a WM within1.5 miles,but no fabric. The Hobby Lobby near me has limited inventory.....Joann's is about 30 miles away and I plan my trips carefully...tomorrow is one ! I hate that I can't support my LQS 100% but just can't afford to.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!

I have one in my town that will close any day. However, he is closing because he wants to retire. We have had several others on our "Run" that have closed as well.

yes, they are closing up fast

we have quite a few quilt stores within a 45 min ride, one is closing end of sept, i feel bad, but she carried mostly dark fabrics and she was not very friendly, so i shopped elsewhere.

I can understand you here we have two LQS with 10 - 12 dollar per yard fabric. A walmart with some but very limited leftovers from the fabric dept. I just cant afford the LQS prices! Luckily we have a new joanns that just opened up and I can use coupons there :)

jenos: If you should find yourself in the Worcester area there is a shop in Auburn on Rt 12 (at I-90) It is the "1.99 Fabric Store. They have a lot of quilt type fabric. Mixed quality but I have found some really good fabric and the price is certainly good. They also have large section of clothing type fabric and decorator fabric - also $1.99 per yd. I understand they have a main store down in eastern Connecticut.