DH and I were going to do a "shop hop" Saturday with plans of hitting 5 shops. This was about a 300 mile round trip.
We headed to the south most one, and had a great visit, but learned then 4th one on the route was temporarily closed (no idea when/if it may reopen). So then we drove north and hit the second - they had some new bolts in that I fell in love with! Went across town to the third - and they had already sold out of the plates and kits - but did have the pattern. I'm after the plates, and have picked up a few kits if I liked the row, but don't plan on "competing" - just no time in the summer.
Since the 4th was closed and the fifth was two hours north, I figured I should call. Found out the 5th one on my list wasn't offering the plates. Lady was kind of rude over the phone, I got the idea she's had a lot of customers in looking for the plates (it's in a tourist area) and they had decided not to get them. It's the first year any stores in SD have participated, and I think they underestimated the amount of traffic they would have from tourists that normally would not have stopped.
So DH and I headed home instead. Saved us money - it seems I can't get out of quilt shop without spending over $75.