I remember my first time of going into a regular quilt shop. Can't remember the name of it, but it was a an old two story house in Dahlonega, GA. VERY nice people, very nice shop. The problem... I was just getting into quilting and had no idea what I was interested in, what type of fabric, what type of pattern, nothing... They just let me wander around. I ended up buying a magazine and a couple of thimbles. Don't know what I'd do if I ever got to go to someplace like Keepsake. I'd make sure I either had a little money, or I'd pull out that charge card though!
I don't have any quilt shops anywhere near me. There is one now on the other side of Macon (35 miles or so) that I have yet to visit. I would LOVE to have a little local shop where I'd feel comfortable enough to visit, spend time, ask questions. Guess that's why I spend so much time here... Y'all are my quilting source!