Several of our area shops do have open sewing areas, where as long as there is no class scheduled you are free to use them. Some charge a fee, but a few don't. My quilting buddies and I tend to meet at one of our houses once a month (or more) for open sewing. It's great to sew with friends and get their input on what you're working on. I have the biggest dining room table and a wide open living room floor so I seem to be the "go-to" place, which I love. My husband has dubbed our dining room "the sewing annex" and he seems to love when "the girls" show up.