You have to sell a lot of fq to make the rent on the shop. We do have to realize that there is huge expense in just having a business. Rent, utilities, advertising, cost of fabric and notions help etc. etc. Unless you have actually run a business you do not realize how much it costs the shop to even be in business. then of course you have taxes, insurance--oh I get hives just thinking about it.
All this plus their costs have increased a lot. And if they stock thread, its not just one spool its a box of probably 8 - 12. So if a customer buys one spool and the rest sit on the shelf--cost is still there, but its a long way to profit.
Now a really good shop will run classes and specials etc to bring people in. Offer machine quilting (of course that machine cost a bundle too)
I feel for the shop owners. I realize its sticker shock when prices go up, but if we want a shop to go to, we have to realize it does cost lots to just keep the doors open.
Hope I haven't stepped on any toes here, but I have a friend who does own a shop and we have had many conversations about customers who think she is ripping them off, but all she is doing is trying to keep the shop there for us. Lets face it, I would not work for the $$$ per hour that she does.