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.

We have 3 LQS, a Hancock's and fabric at Walmart!

very true, and with the cost of fabric going up it's so depressing.

We have a lot o choose from, but we can see the inventory decreasing more every day. New collections are not being purchased for their shelves anymore. They are becoming more selective.

Our LQS closed in May. Wal Mart has some fabric, Hobby Lobby and Hancocks about a 40 min drive, Mary Jo's is an hour for me. The only LQS that is close is NOT a friendly store so don't go there! You feel like you are intruding when you walk in the door.

Our LQS closed a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn't afford their prices. There is another store that carries good quilting material real close to the LQS and their prices, I have been told, are at least 25% less. I don't see why a LQS can't lower their prices some - the fabric is SMP - suggested manufacturers' price, not a definite. This would help those of us on a fixed income or incomes that have been lowered be able to purchase.

WOW, i guess i should be grateful for our LQS. yes prices have gone up but for that special project its worth it. i almost always find what i need. i believe their newsletter is on line. take a look and see the classes etc that they offer. friendly people working there keep everyone coming back too. quilting sisters is the shop name.

My LQS, Joannes, Hobby Lobby, Micheals and a few Fabric outlets are ALL 30+ miles from my house.. So I make the trip count with other errands I have to run... I hate it.. but I live out in the country so its not like they can open a LQS right around the corner here.. Where would the cows go then??