I have had 5 quilts shops in my general area here in Atlanta. All 5 have gone out of business in the last 8 years. We have a second home in Hendersonville NC (Near Asheville). There are two quilt shops there. Both have relocated into very small shops...thus cutting down on the amount of fabric, etc. they stock. One is a Bernina dealer and 1/2 of her small space is designated for machines. Look at the threads here. It seems to me that most of the quilters here shop JoAnn's and Hancock-type places where they can get fabric on sales for $3.00 a yard. They aren't willing and/or able to pay $8-10/yard at LQS. I think it would be a very tough market and I wouldn't consider it in this economy under any circumstances. I owned a business for 30 years and it's a constant stress. I'd rather work in a quilt shop (and hopefully get a discount) than own it. Good luck in your decision-making.