I don't know if this will help your friend's quilt shop or even apply to her. I live in a small town and we have a small fabric shop that is usually busy. What she does is :
1.As each customer comes in she'll ask them if they found the colors they needed and if they didn't she will order that at no expense to them and if they want to be called when a new supply of fabric comes in.
2.she has a long arm quilter and does quilting for people in this area who makes quilt tops but doesn't want to quilt them.
3.has classes to teach quilting,sewing,crochet,kniting,embroidery
She doesn't do this all by herself.She has 2 daughters and 1 sister who help with the classes and the daughter who does the long arm quilting is fantastic with it. She told me if she had room she would sell quilts on consignment but she has no room. Maybe your quilt shop friend could try something like that.