friendly people, very much like extended family
open sew....does not have to be free, at my favorite LQS it is pay what you can afford (which varies )
good selection of fabric
challenging BOM
at open sew the owner often demos a product, something new or something we have asked about
sewing time for community service i.e. things for local neo-natal i.c.u., foster care, vet. hosp., battered womens center, homeless, and the tiny scraps make pet beds for shelter or pet rescue