LQS likes/dislikes?
06-09-2010, 03:53 AM
#101
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 207
What draws me in is staff that treat everyone like and old friend, as if they were a constant costumer. We travel a lot, so I have gotten to go to many LQS. Most are so happy to see you and talk as though meeting you is the highlight of their day. I leave there thinking I wish this shop was closer to me. On the other hand, there is a LQS near my home and they cater to the regulars. The owner is so full of herself, who needs it. I don't go there any more.
After all, I'm spending money. I'm doing her a favor, she is not doing me one.
After all, I'm spending money. I'm doing her a favor, she is not doing me one.
06-09-2010, 04:44 AM
#102
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Blue Springs, MO
Posts: 2,167
you could always "pay" your demo's people in a yard or two of fabric. hey do it like this a yard and hour or something like that. you will get lots of people who are willing to work for fabric. this can be done somewhat "under" the table. as they say.
06-09-2010, 05:37 AM
#103
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Eastern Montana
Posts: 994
I was just on a short trip and stopped at a LQS. I had heard that the owner was a bit of a snob and very critical of other quilter's work. Thank goodness she was not there. I enjoyed my stop for these reasons:
1. The 2 employees there were very friendly and welcoming without being smothering.
2. Samples hung all over the shop with the pattern name attached. What inspiration!
3. I was looking for 1 piece of fabric, didn't have the rest of the fabric with me, just the pattern. They pulled bolt after bolt down to help me match so I could buy just that 1 piece. Didn't make me feel like I was wasting their time.
4. Nice sitting area - for me or for someone who is waiting for me! Coffee would be a nice touch.
Good luck - and where is your store located?
1. The 2 employees there were very friendly and welcoming without being smothering.
2. Samples hung all over the shop with the pattern name attached. What inspiration!
3. I was looking for 1 piece of fabric, didn't have the rest of the fabric with me, just the pattern. They pulled bolt after bolt down to help me match so I could buy just that 1 piece. Didn't make me feel like I was wasting their time.
4. Nice sitting area - for me or for someone who is waiting for me! Coffee would be a nice touch.
Good luck - and where is your store located?
06-09-2010, 06:23 AM
#104
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ND
Posts: 54
I can't thank you ALL enough for your generous and honest thoughts and inspiration for me! :) I'll share location, website and everything with you as this thing gets closer and more "realistic". :) Wow! You all are phenomenal! There is so much here I will use.
06-09-2010, 06:26 AM
#105
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,392
Oh, yeah!. Someone else just mentioned that! A nice place to sit/wait while the other person is shopping. Or even just a chair in a corner.
The Dade City, FL shop has a chair inside - and I've seen it occupied by a gentleman many times - and a bench outside.
One can shop longer if the driver is more or less comfortable.
The Dade City, FL shop has a chair inside - and I've seen it occupied by a gentleman many times - and a bench outside.
One can shop longer if the driver is more or less comfortable.
06-09-2010, 06:44 AM
#106
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 13
Quality classes with a sample displayed in the store and online.
Nice lighting including some natural window light.
Offer classes at different times for working and non working.
Friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Coffee area with sit and sew is nice, but not totally required.
Music is fine, but I would prefer no smells. Lots of people have fragrance issues.
Coupons get me in the door. Then I always spend more. Send out via email.
Do offer sales from time to time. Again gets people in the door and makes you more competitive with the box stores.
Nice lighting including some natural window light.
Offer classes at different times for working and non working.
Friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Coffee area with sit and sew is nice, but not totally required.
Music is fine, but I would prefer no smells. Lots of people have fragrance issues.
Coupons get me in the door. Then I always spend more. Send out via email.
Do offer sales from time to time. Again gets people in the door and makes you more competitive with the box stores.
06-09-2010, 06:45 AM
#107
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 32
As many have stated, friendly staff. (Grouchy seems to be the norm!!). Probably more expensive upfront, but having the latest fabrics,books and patterns keeps me coming back. (Discount stores like JoAnn, have books that have been out for 2+ yrs.)
I personally like ambience (I know its shallow!) but some shops have things like a fireplace, or comfortable area to browse thru books or for husbands to relax in.
Good size cutting area where you can stack up bolts that you want cut.
A knowledgeable staff that can help pick color palettes or determine amounts of fabric needed for a project.
Good luck with your new endeavor!!
I personally like ambience (I know its shallow!) but some shops have things like a fireplace, or comfortable area to browse thru books or for husbands to relax in.
Good size cutting area where you can stack up bolts that you want cut.
A knowledgeable staff that can help pick color palettes or determine amounts of fabric needed for a project.
Good luck with your new endeavor!!
06-09-2010, 07:58 AM
#108
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: in the heart of the awl
Posts: 1,015
One of the quilt shops in town had a fireplace in the main part of the store. There was a couch and a table with magazines. The men would sit there and have coffee ( sometimes cookies were provided)and read while the women shopped. Unfortunately, the store merged with another one and all that stopped. Now I don't hardly ever go in there because the atmosphere is different.
06-09-2010, 03:43 PM
#110
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 351
Originally Posted by craftybear
1. Owner and Employees to be friendly and helpful.
I was at a LQS (Local Quilt Store) last month and the owner and 2 employees never recognized anyone was in the store shopping, I was in the store for about 30 minutes and decided to leave as no one said hi, asked me if I need help or anything
2. Have a sew day where you can take a project in and sew and if you have any ? someone is there to help you out
3. demonstrations on rulers, etc.
4. classes (so we can learn more) and offer the classes at different times, day, evenings, weekends
5. Have an area to sit and relax if you need to
6. Samples & Demonstrations
Thanks again for starting this thread!
I was at a LQS (Local Quilt Store) last month and the owner and 2 employees never recognized anyone was in the store shopping, I was in the store for about 30 minutes and decided to leave as no one said hi, asked me if I need help or anything
2. Have a sew day where you can take a project in and sew and if you have any ? someone is there to help you out
3. demonstrations on rulers, etc.
4. classes (so we can learn more) and offer the classes at different times, day, evenings, weekends
5. Have an area to sit and relax if you need to
6. Samples & Demonstrations
Thanks again for starting this thread!
peaceful. Don't get me wrong, I love music, but I've been in too
many places where the music is not my choice or its so loud you
can't hear yourself think or have a nice conversation. Most places
play it so loud I just turn around and leave without buying.
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