There's a shop like that here too ... they charge for little 5 min. demos, for a 10-min "sample" & even to attend a trunk show by a LOCAL quilter who spoke for all of 10 min ! It's not like the quilter had to travel or be put up at a hotel ... cheep cheep
I worked & taught at 2 LQS a few yrs ago. In TODAY'S economy if I had my own shop, I would offer such goodies gratis - just to get people IN MY DOOR ! If you get people INTERESTED in TRYING a new product or technique, you'll have buyers !
It's amazing to me how many shops can't even be bothered to have a nice pot of coffee or tea for shoppers, a plate of cookies ... or give a fat quarter, a notion or a free pattern with larger purchases ... little things like that are remembered and can make a difference WHICH way we steer the car on the NEXT quilt outing !! :roll: