Since we have our own online quilt shop, we don't do a lot of buying at other places, but we do visit a lot of LQS's just to see what they're doing and visit with the owners.
Things that make us feel good when we visit are:
Nice and clean and well-organized.
No bad smells - no tobacco smoke leaking out of the office.
Good selection of fabrics tastefully displayed.
Quilts displayed.
Homey atmosphere.
Nice classroom area.
In larger stores - long-arms and sewing machines to try out.
and most of all --- Friendly, helpful, but not overbearing service!