You have great ideas -- as an employee of a LQS, one of the things that helps us make it is CLASSES --- every Saturday there are classes, so many that now there are some on Fridays and other days of the week. And on Saturdays we also have Embrodiery Club where people share their projects and ideas. The classes increase skill levels of students, and also sell fabric for the projects also. We are only open from 9-6 -- therefore can run one shift of employees. In this community -- downtown goes completely quiet around 5:30. There are two other LQS nearby -- they both close at 5. We're the only shop open on Sundays.
We however cannot manage to separately order things from different suppliers -- we use a couple of suppliers and if they offer the individual items you suggest, chances are we'll get a small stock in to see if we can sell those -- we do listen to our customers and pass it on to the boss. However, keeping a store stocked is very time consuming, and takes away from the customer service we pride oursleves on. We want to help -- but sometimes our hands are tied.
We do sell machines -- and service them, and supply intro classes free when you buy a machine -- and you can take that class over and over again. We have our own certified repair service. We're pretty busy in this area. While there are a couple of independent machine dealers on the island, they don't have shops -- the only other machines for sale are at Walmart, Costco, Sears. So we do alot of business when someone wants a "serious" sewing machine. We see plenty of the less costly machines in classes however, and they do work fine...we service them too when they need it. We value every member of the sewing community, not only those with deep pockets. Your sales fabric is a SALE to us, and allows us to continue in business.
Part of the discussion on the closing of the LQS has been on the stash collectors feeling a little sorry that they are not supporting the LQS because of the cost of fabrics, and they are using their stocked fabrics. Remember -- you kept buying those fabrics for years from your LQS -- there was no or less internet stores to buy from -- so for years you kept those doors open. It is not your fault that the economy went bad and the prices went high. Alot of the price of fabric has to do with the cost of manufacturing and shipping -- and have to be laid at the front door of the oil companies. We've had to raise prices not because of the cost of fabric, but the cost of getting the fabric HERE where you can buy it....
All for now -- got to get ready for work....love the quilting community -- and this board! Thanks for letting me have a say....