Have you worked in retail ? Dealt with the public in a retail setting?
Subscribe to Fab Shop News magazine for quilt shop specific advice. they've a website.
Make a detailed business plan. You will need one to secure financing and to qualify for any start up business grants etc. attend quilt market. Take classes. talk to wholesale companies to learn about how they qualify new buyers. It is expensive to buy inventory for a quilt shop.
Do lots of research on retail business and how to start one.
Sandy