stormwater

I love my LQS's! My purchases fit into 2 categories, fabric/thread that I specifically need for a project and fabric/thread/books/notions that I purchase to inspire me and as the basis for future projects.

I buy my specific project needs from LQS, on-line small sites, on-line mega-sites and Joann's, in that order. If an LQS has it in stock (or a close enough substitute), I'll pay the premium to try to keep them there. Because if they weren't there I would lose their counsel on 'What's the answer that I can't see', 'Which quilting pattern will accent the fabric/piecing the best', etc.; I'd lose the sensation of handling Hoffman, Kaufman, Moda, Marcus, Kona Bay fabrics; I'd lose the instant gratification of a quick show & tell. But if they don't and I need it, I'll try the other alternative.

But I buy almost all my inspirational supplies from LQS's and I'm lucky to still have more than 10 within an hour's drive of my house or work, though it looks like we'll lose the Quilter's Coop in Temecula at the end of the year.

auntpiggylpn

I love my LQS! It is about a 25-30 minute drive from my home. There is one that is about 10 minutes from my home where I bought my machine. I have been treated so poorly everytime I go in there that I refuse to give them any of my money. Since I purchased my machine 5 years ago, I can count on one hand the times I have been back to that shop and the amount I have spent in there (minus my machine) is less than $100. My favorite LQS is worth the drive. It is in an old house in the middle of a small town. There is a wrap around front porch with big wooden rocking chairs. Sometimes I just sit in one of them for a little bit before I go into the shop and sometimes when I am done shopping. The selection of fabrics is overwheming! The staff, including the owner, is always friendly and helpful. They greet each customer as they walk in the door and I know that smile on their face is genuine and sincere. We talk about quilting and everything else under the sun. This shop has a sale the first weekend of every month and they cater a free lunch for their customers. They also have email sales so if you are on their email list, you will get a special deal. I have spent more money there in the 2 years they have been open than I care to admit out loud. I do still shop online or here on the QB but it is usually for something the shop doesn't have. The owner has been talking since opening about going online. I hope they do that way I can order what I want and they will have it all cut for me when I go to pick it up. Sometimes, when I am feeling a little stressed and just overwhelmed by life itself, I will make the journey to "just look". As soon as I enter the shop, my mood feels lighter and all my troubles seem to vanish. I don't always buy when I am there but just to be surrounded by such wonderful people and the vast array of beautiful fabrics is the best medicine in the world. You can't get that from an online store, that's for sure!

0tis

I have a wonderful LQS - it is over 50 miles to get there one-way - I live very rurally. Anyway, I love the owners of the shop - I bought my longarm from them and have purchased a ton of fabric in the last couple of years. They help me with fabric choices and anything else I need. I actually compared their prices with some of the other shops that are an addition 50+ miles beyond my LQS (in a tax free state) and my LQS has better prices even with paying sale tax.
Often if there is a little bit of fabric left on the bolt - I will get it for free - or she will charge me for 2 yds and I will get 2 3/4 yds - The only bummer is they have the shop for sale now - they just want to retire and its hard to do all the shows and take care of the shop. I always try to support local stores - esp. because I live so far out- I have heard others in my small town that never buy local - its too expensive they say. Well, its really expensive to drive 80 or 100 miles to save grocery money.
I hope if someone buys the LQS that they are just as friendly as the present owners - I think it will be difficult to find anyone that can take on the financial reponsibility.
That said, I also have an addiction to pre-cuts particularly, Moda, my LQS does not stock pre cuts at all - so I do not feel guilty for purchasing them online. As I say, I like to spread the love ($$) around.

AuntieD

I like to shop locally when possible. However as a retiree, my disposable income is limited. Still I do my best to support my LQS.

Jan in VA

The part of your post about the "building out back, lots of tables, open for anyone sewing, the gals do it all the time"......sounds like something this LQS owner could "build" on perhaps. If the space is really good, the lighting is wonderful, the atmosphere friendly and welcoming, and many shoppers/quilters avail themselves of it, maybe she could begin to make this more of a focus. Perhaps these quilters would be interested in helping her "buy" fabric, committing to paying for so-and-so many yards of this pattern and that pattern if she will order it, receive it, and cut their individual purchases at a discount before putting what's left out on the sales floor.

I see this as sort of a buying club, charge a nominal 'membership fee' if she wishes or can, and make sure those who come sew with her have first shot at any new inventory. She will be able to afford to sell this to them at a 15%, 20%, even 25% discount because before the bolt even comes into her store, she will have a certain number of its yards already guaranteed sold. What a great bennie for any shop owner!

The quilters will benefit because they won't have to pay shipping as they would with an on line purchase (a shop's cost of shipping is figured into the price per yard of the goods). They will be getting a discount, which is usually why we buy online. AND they will have had a say in what is selected from the fabric vendor and see the fabric samples before they are ordered (isn't that part of our complaint about buying online - we don't get to "feel" it, see it?)....3 good reasons for them to buy from her rather than online!

I believe out LQS need to continually reinvent themselves in these days, not just change displays and add new classes and samples. Sales of locally produced patterns. Retreat-like weekends where a (small-fee) paying customer group gets a mystery quilt design and a discount on their fabric choice for the mystery (the earlier before the weekend that they buy the better the discount?) and they can all work on it during the weekend. If there is a deli nearby, take the quilters' orders and monies, pick up, serve, and clean up after so they can concentrate on just sewing. Pamper!

Just starting the brainstorming gets the juices and ideas flowing to help her!

Jan in VA

SallySaidSew

Jan - what fabulous ideas! I am going to share with my LQS owner tomorrow night during our weekly open sew session.

Tashana

I understand and maybe I would prefer LQS if money was not an issue but it is. So I will go where the price is right. I would love to be able to support all local shops but the reality is they are so expensive that I feel guilty even going to browse since I know I cannot afford to buy.

luvTooQuilt

i boycotted a snooty lqs in town, a long list of reasons why- i dont ever buy anything in there.. no guilt here..

But... i do love Joe.. and I frequent his lil place every week.... I spend waaaay to much but i dont mind spending it his way.. The customers that walk into his place he treats them like friends hes known all his life..

Dolphyngyrl

I hear you, anytime I get birthday, mothersday, or christmas money I blow it all at my LQS it may be more expensive but I too know the value of having one. I do buy online, but it is hard to match up fabrics online so I reserve the fabric shopping for the store and buy only fabrics I know what they look like online that my LQS doesn't have. I too believe it doesn't take much to support your LQS but I also think the ones that are successful are because they sell online, they sell machines, they offer lots of different classes. Some people are just really good about business

justflyingin

One thing that they LQS owners have to do is keep up to date. It isn't "our obligation" to keep them in business if money is the bottom line. IOW, if we want the money to stay in our pocket, we don't have to pay the high prices. But, of course, the result might be they go out of business,

HOWEVER, it sounds like your LQS is adjusting--she has more places for people to sew, etc. She probably makes money somehow doing that.

Many times people here in Poland think that they are "obligated" to keep every little store in business when the owner hasn't a clue about capitalism and the way it works. Sometimes they just need to go out of business (I'm talking locally here--not your LQS). The successful business owner/entrepreneur will find his/her niche and fill it. There are many things a small store can do better than a big one, and often, that personal touch is it. If that is worth it to you, then go for it.

We all have to adjust for tougher times economically--we do what we can--whether it is cut out going out to eat (if restaurants go out of business, does anyone care?) or eating cheaper cuts of meat (if meat producers go out of business does anyone care)? The bottom line is, you care more about your money than anyone else. Spend it however you want and don't feel guilty because of your choices.