No owner or employee that acts like the quilt police. Knowledge of new quilting tools and methods, internet access for instant product research when something is not known about. No hovering. No owner's husband or boyfriend killing time in the shop telling jokes or making comments to impress the customers. Fair prices for the quality of fabric being sold. Lots of thread variety. I like to see samples of quilts made from patterns hanging in the store. Good lighting is a must. Nothing worse then a poorly lighted drab quilt shop.