Like Fabric-Fun, I live in an area with lots of choices. I have three favorites pretty close by - in a kind of triangular pattern, map wise. I consider three of the owners friends, two belong to the same guild as I do. The other I consider a pleasant acquaintance. I love their shop. They each have a little different spin and I really do try not to patronize them as much during a sale since I do want them to stay in business. (But I am not above having my purchases kept track of on a punch card to reap a discount in the future).
I have other favorites that are farther away. There are only two that I avoid because of the atmosphere - mentioned in other posts - unfriendliness. They don't know how much I could have spent had I felt differently but I do this with any kind of shop not just the quilt shops.
It is true that when I go to one of these shops, I am warmly greeted and treated with interest and respect.