Where to begin. Take a look around the shop you are buying and take note of how long some of their fabrics have been on the shelf. That will tell you what doesn't sell in that area. The same goes for their samples and various quilting tools. I think some shop owners made the fatal mistake of letting their own personal taste dictate what they offer. Everyone is not madly in love with Thimbleberries. Like another poster I appreciate a little room to stand back and study the products. Like many other quilters I wear by-focals. They make it hard to see things on the bottom or top shelf easily. Lighting is important. As a handquilter for hire I belonged to a professional group of quilters. They noted that while there are quilters of every age most of us are over 40 or 50 with more time and money to spend than younger woman raising families. The children we might bring to your shop would be grandchildren. Do have daytime hours for those of us who are free in the daytime. My husband still works outside the home. I can do anything I want while he is out of the house. Evenings and weekends I am at his command. While I "rarely" take any kind of class, if I were to take one I don't want to have to bring the kitchen sink. If you plan on selling machines let your students use them. I own 4 Berninas, a serger, an embriodery machine and two sewing machines as well as a Singer Featherweight. The only time my machine leaves my home is when I go on a yearly 4 day retreat. I feel in love with Bernina when I worked for a dealer who made ends meet by doing custom dressmaking and alterations. I had to own some of the machines I used daily in the shop. As a handquilter I have discovered that the continuious line quilting stencils work as well for me as for a machine quilter. I appreciate handquilting supplies. It is always a plus if the clerks know how to sew and or quilt. They don't have to be an outstanding personality just truly interested in helping the customer or steering them to someone who can help.
I wish you much success.