All of the above and teachers that stick to the subject. Many people have not taken speech class and don't realize that you have to project your voice.

wow, it looks like you are getting lots of ideas, I can't wait for you to open your store and let us know how you are getting along

I just took a 3 hour class over the weekend from a great instructor. She was patient, helpful and PREPARED. She had printed instructions and little pre-cut sample in each stage with instructions written on them. Plus a pre-cut kit that we could work on. Then she had completed quilts to show the different concepts.

She knew how to demo. She did not hard sell but each of us spent money because she explained why you would want to have this or that.

This is the second class I have taken from her which says alot since I have to drive over an hour and a half to get there and I pass a dozen other LQS plus a Joann's, Hobby Lobby and Hancocks. Plus the class was on a weekend.

I love my lqs - the staff is friendly, helpful. They offer alot of different lines of fabric - a bit for everyone (even though I'd rather there were more 'northern' fabrics - I'm a northerner at heart!! There is no play area and does not seem to be a problem. No place for husbands to sit. They just rented more space - now have a bigger sewing/training classroom. I would love it if the store itself were bigger - just too close for comfort.

For us elders... a comfortable place to sit and rest, a clean bathroom, and carts to haul fabric bolts around. I have bad back, knees, and hip, I tire very easily, so lots of times I must leave the store before I'm really done shopping because there is no place to sit and rest. And everything already said about a friendly staff that knows what they are talking about. I wish you great success!

If I were going to open a quilt shop, I would visit a couple dozen award winning shops that were different. There are reasons these shops are successful and I would imitate them.

I don't have a whole lot to add to the great ideas of others but one thing I absolutely LOVE is a class where you bring your UFO's for several hours to work on, with the staff available to help. For a small fee you can figure out a problem, finish something, and have a blast with others :D
Best of luck to you!!!!!!!!!!
Oh- I love scents but I don't think they belong in a quilt shop!

The LQS here has a couple people that work there who are more into sewing clothing and not quilters. I had a question recently so thought I'd run it by the clothing person, and then a couple days later I asked the quilting lady that was working. Two completely different answers. My long arm lady was more knowledgable then either of the LQS ladies. Quess I know who to go to next time. Another shop further away has a couple really rude people there, I tend to that shop when those people have their day off,

Hi, If you are ever in the Louisville, Kentucky area there is a LQS that meets all the above requirements. It is called the Happy Heart Quilt Shop. It is in the southwestern part of Jefferson County, (Louisville) Kentucky. They have several helpful ladies who will help you with anything, they have a back room where you can work on projects and get help. They have lots of samples hanging in the shop, a wide variety of fabrics, and ALWAYS, a lot of fabric on sale. If you are ever in the area, check it out.

Sorry, I forgot to mention..... they have a lady who will machine quilt for you if you are not in the mood to hand quilt.

Your local guild might already have a program in place - no use duplicating. But find a way to support a project of theirs and tell them.

Another place for tips is online - go to random online websites and see what their newsletter looks like - the classes they offer - pictures of the shop. Shops also like to announce their pet projects as free advertisement in the local newspapers. One of my fave shops accepts canned food for the local pantries as a trade off for discounts.

The staff makes or breaks a great shop - Helpful but not overbearing and knowledgeable. Well stocked supplies and a willingness to get things you need but do not have - I love my LQS - My one pet peeve is too many people in classes so you don't get attention needed. I am not a crowd person.

I have 2 LQS that I use one is in Fredricksburg,TX and the other is in Kerrville, TX. It's a day trip to go to either of them for me but both have web sites that are real informative. The one in Kerrville is my favorite, they let me know by email when they are having a sale, and what a sale they have bags & bags of scraps of material for $3 to $4 dollars. Their staff is terrific they are very helpful and knowledgeable, they are quilters themselves and they know all the ins and outs of patterns they've made that hang on the wall. If you have a pattern they will help pick out material. If you can get all of this in your quilt shop, you will have a terrific place to go for begginers as well as experienced quilters. Good luck.

A staging area would be nice. The few I've been in locally don't have a place for you to lay several bolts out aside from the cutting table and then they need you to move so they can cut. I'd like a cleared off table over to the side maybe next to a wall where you can stand up your choices and have some distance to back up and view them.

I value the employees who take their time with each customer. I know time is money, but return rate is something you really need to think about, and one way to do this is to make sure each customer finds and gets what they want and need. (Breath!!!) If you do "Make It and Take It Classes" make sure the people taking the class know ahead of time what will be made and approximately what it will cost. Use the internet with a great web site. Check out "The Glass Thimbles" web site. It is great. No I am not an employee, but I am a very satisfied customer of theirs. Good luck!!!

I totally agree with this, I don't want to have to drag the bolts into the classroom either. Maybe jsut a small table here and there in the store with a sign encouraging people to stage the bolts here.

Another thought too, maybe in the classroom you could turn one wall into a design wall? Hang batting up on the entire wall. This way people can use it when they are there for classes or all day quiltathons or if they are like me and don't have enough room for a design wall, they could come in and use it for a current project, take a pic and be on their merry way (with a few extra FQs tucked in for good measure! :))

Cheers!
Rachel

I have to agree with MistyMarie -I like very organized 'hands on' classes. I've never taken a class that's provided an evaluation afterwards - that would be very helpful to instructors and shop owners.

Clerks who are welcoming, helpful when needed and yet leave me alone to browse as long as I desire. One LQS has clerks that are such snobs. Stand by your ads. This shop offers timely machine repair, yet takes forever to return it. A local shop named "Patchwork and Pies" had a corner where you could order coffee or tea with pie or pastry of some kind to enjoy as you chatted with friends or employees either before or after your purchases. Many quilting conversations took place over the small tables covered with quilted tablecloths. You never left the shop empty-handed. Their clerks also wore items they had made from the fabric offered in the store. They also offered gift items that the non-quilter might be interested in if they wanted to stop by for beverage and treat. It was so cozy and inviting. Many folks were saddened when the owner retired and moved out of the area.

Where to begin. Take a look around the shop you are buying and take note of how long some of their fabrics have been on the shelf. That will tell you what doesn't sell in that area. The same goes for their samples and various quilting tools. I think some shop owners made the fatal mistake of letting their own personal taste dictate what they offer. Everyone is not madly in love with Thimbleberries. Like another poster I appreciate a little room to stand back and study the products. Like many other quilters I wear by-focals. They make it hard to see things on the bottom or top shelf easily. Lighting is important. As a handquilter for hire I belonged to a professional group of quilters. They noted that while there are quilters of every age most of us are over 40 or 50 with more time and money to spend than younger woman raising families. The children we might bring to your shop would be grandchildren. Do have daytime hours for those of us who are free in the daytime. My husband still works outside the home. I can do anything I want while he is out of the house. Evenings and weekends I am at his command. While I "rarely" take any kind of class, if I were to take one I don't want to have to bring the kitchen sink. If you plan on selling machines let your students use them. I own 4 Berninas, a serger, an embriodery machine and two sewing machines as well as a Singer Featherweight. The only time my machine leaves my home is when I go on a yearly 4 day retreat. I feel in love with Bernina when I worked for a dealer who made ends meet by doing custom dressmaking and alterations. I had to own some of the machines I used daily in the shop. As a handquilter I have discovered that the continuious line quilting stencils work as well for me as for a machine quilter. I appreciate handquilting supplies. It is always a plus if the clerks know how to sew and or quilt. They don't have to be an outstanding personality just truly interested in helping the customer or steering them to someone who can help.
I wish you much success.

First of all Good Luck. It seems by the suggestions you listed in your questionnaire to us you are going to run a great store. The board comments pretty much covered all the important things required to make a perfect quilt store. Let me add just one more thing not mentioned by anyone except you. We live by all our senses. Along with the importance of sight which was mentioned The sense of touch regarding the fabrics to be displayed is also one we don't think about necessarily in a quilt store and does mean a lot. But,I am talking about the sense of smell. You did mention that and I will tell you why I think it is important too. I worked in a nursery center that had an indoor home accent dept.. The smell that became so familiar and comforting without even thinking about it as you entered the store was the candles etc. that were displayed in that dept. I experienced the same thing whenever I entered my LQS. It was a Ben Franklins and it was a fabric/ craft store. Whenever you walked in there a certain smell hit your senses (not only sight) but smell from all the different products from the craft inventory etc. The fragrance that hit your nose the minute you opened the door in both stores became associated with relaxing enjoyment.Even now when I think of those smells it makes me smile. So, you are right on with your ideas. Quilters will enjoy the important sense of smell of the fabrics once they are in the midst of all the material and ..yes I think that is addictive in quilters. But, to supply a happy feeling associated with your store (knowing they are going to spend their money) will bring peole back again and again. Perhaps not because they need something but, because it is just enjoyable to browse when you feel the need.

Ladydi64,
You must be talking about Creations in Kerrville ... One of my very fav shops, all time ... So creative, great fabrics & what a great group of ladies there, always fun to visit
Whenever we're up to the Hill country my DH knows we HAVE to make a detour to Kerrville & Creations !! :)

Ditto the recomm. - visit some flourishing quilt shops around and see what they do RIGHT ... vs others that DON'T ... Check out shop newsletters, classes & events for ideas
I worked (& taught) at 2 LQS ... I feel the most important things are:
Outgoing & KNOWLEDGEABLE employees
VARIETY of fabrics, books, patterns counts more than Volume
A few basic classes - don't try too much at the start
DRAW customers in with BOM, Buck A Block, events, small kits for beginners, demos
Juvenile & baby fabrics & quilt kits ... I've been to many shops that have none, what a market they are missing !
Lots of SHOP SAMPLES - VITAL - customers need to SEE & be INSPIRED
DISPLAYS - Nothing's worse than a bare, dull quilt shop.
Good LIGHTING & easy music - I don't like to shop in a SILENT shop
Good Luck !! :)

I just had to close mine (economy), but love everything about it. Good luck to you!!!!

I work until 5pm at which time the quilt shops are closing. At least 1 evening open a week would be wonderful.

No rude sales clerks

A great teaching area - not scrunched in the corner - a big turn-off for me.

No mascots - I love animals, but I don't think they belong in a store as so many people are allergic to them.

Good luck!!!!

What I would like to see is a "community quilting corner". I envision an area that has comfy chairs, soft music, and I can go there during my lunch hours to just sit for a 1/2 hour and quilt. Other quilters would be there and we could visit and develop friendships. And if you are experiencing the quilter "letdown", that time when you are not feeling very motivated, you could just sit and watch other quilters. Sometimes my life is a little too structured and I can't always make any of the scheduled times for classes and UFO dates. But I always need the break during the day to just sit and quilt.

Just a suggestion....

Cathy

biggest pet peeves are the sales clerks that acts uncaring or snobbish.... Location of items you're looking for ....Lack of area for children....Smell of cookies, potpourri are needed!

I like lots of quilt samples on the wall. Love the pattern section especially if it is easy to see the patterns. A play area for the kids is great and a bathroom that is easily available. Several of my favorite LQS offer savings ($20) after I buy 50 yards of fabric - that keeps my going back because I am always needing fabric and might as well get some free.

Hire no one that isn't nuts about quilting!! Hire no one that doesn't love people!! Have a comfortable spot for husband sitting....not some ratty old chair next to the store room bathroom!! Retired ladies need a nice place to sit the DH. The more content he is, the longer she will stay, the more money she will spend.
I am jealous!! I would love to own a LQS! Good luck!!

Samples marked with the name of the pattern and the pattern or the book close by.

Rude and/or unwillingness to help on the part of the clerks. There's nothing worse than a LQS snob! :lol:

Kids' play area would be a plus for those moms who aren't able to shop alone.

I think I'd skip the coffee -- wouldn't want someone being careless and spilling it on the beautiful goodies.

Reasonable prices. Seems there are those who charge so much just because they're the "only game in town".

Good lighting is a must. Good samples displayed.

At the LQS in my town, the employees are very condescending towards me and other "younger" patrons. I am in my 30s but look like I am in my 20s. I often go with my mom who is in her 60s. We don't always stay together while we are browsing and they treat her with much more respect. They are very rude to me and if we are together they always direct the conversation to her. If I am asking to have fabric cut they always look at her and ask her how much fabric to cut. This is after I just asked for a certain amount! Ugh! The frustrating part is that I am as old or older than several of the employees who do this. Needless to say, I don't go there often.

At another shop, there is a lady who always tells people her opinion on the fabric they are purchasing. She rarely has anything nice to say and her opinions are rarely solicited. I call her the fabric police. I have actually heard her tell people that they "can't" use this fabric for a border or with this other fabric.

At my favorite shop, the ladies who work there are pleasant and friendly to everyone - even the kids. They were tickled pink that my DS10 was choosing fabrics for himself and even helped him find some. They have tons of fabrics from almost every manufacturer - truly something for everyone. They have a semi-private classroom so you can see in but the class is not disrupted by shoppers. The store is light and airy and they have lots of finished projects down where you can really see them and feel them. If you tell them you just want to look, they are respectful and let you. But they are always nearby (without hovering). And, they offer coupons through their Facebook page!

Good luck to you!

Just the fact that you are researching and asking for ideas tells me you are on the right track and I would gladly visit your shop!

My husband goes with me everywhere - he suffers from copd and likes to just sit and people watch. a comfortable chair or sitting area for the tag-alongs that don't fit into the children's play area.

I agree about having a place to sit. Even if a store is too small to take up room for a kid's corner or spot, having a place to sit would be really nice. (My kids sit outside on the curb - by their choice - when I go to the LQS because there is no place to sit inside.)

I also like having one or two nights a week with later hours to accomodate work schedules. One of my LQS has one night that it is open until 8PM. I also cannot sign up for weekday daytime classes, so having classes in the evening and on the weekends is great!

A couple more suggestions I didn't see mentioned:

Adequate staff. There are 2 LQS in my immediate area. One of them has a friendly staff who always complement me on the fabric I've chosen, even if they're just walking by the cutting area while someone else is cutting. Makes me feel good about my choices. The other LQS usually has only one person working. That person is busy cutting fabric and checking people out. There's no one available to help me find matching or contrasting fabric, and they know their stock better than I do. If the second person was returning bolts to shelves or even just circulating, they'd be around to offer help.

Music: If you played Ricky Tims and Cathy Miller (The Singing Quilter) CD's and had them for sale, you might make a few bucks, and they wouldn't even take up much room. Their CD's could be alternated with other music so you wouldn't have to listen to it all day.

I love my LQS. All the quilts on the wall are finished. It is like going to a museum. the quilts change frequently--at least every 3 or 4 months, not sure. There always seems to be something new to look at. They have a Saturday sampler. Right now more than 600 quilters come. They have SS classes on the second Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the Month. You buy the first square, and if you finish it, the next month is free. (But everytime we go we buy something, so its a win/win situation.) At the end of 12 months you have 12 sampler squares. About month 8 or 9 they offer finishing kits in whatever size you want your quilt to be. They also offer the SS in four different colorways. So there is a lot of variety.

My LQS has many classes at all different levels--beginner to experienced.They have a backroom with end of bolts. If you finish the bolt you get it at half price. Otherwise 40% off the regular price.

Another quilt shoppe I have frequented has Soup and Sew Saturdays. They provide a space to sew for the day. You pay $15 for the day and they provide lunch. This shop also has great display quilts all around the shop. You can use their machines or bring your own.

One thing I have noticed when I am selecting fabrics is that I have no where to place the bolts while I am matching my fabrics. The cutting table is the only place to stack things and that seems to interfere with the other customers getting their cloth cut. Set up an area called the creativity corner, then when ready, the cutting station will go quickly.

The local quilt store where I live is right beside an Muslim grocery store. They carry alot of different spices and herbs. The smells seep into the fabric and even into the books that are on the shelves for an extended time. The shop owner has hired no help. She has always been very friendly to me. I have seen and heard her being very rude to other customers. She isn't open in the evening although she does do a few bom then. When she is doing classes she tells the girls what to do and then leaves them while she goes to another room. Her taste in music has a lot to be desired. She doesn't like children in the store. The store has been open for about 4yrs and the quilts she decorated the shop with which were from her home and patterns from older book that are no longer available.

You asked about a kids corner. My quilt shop offered a quilt camp for junior high kids in the summer. Very popular. They do a simple project. They are creating the next generation of quilters.

have you thought about getting a "friend" to partner with you who would run a little coffie/tea/snack bar section were people can come and have quilting talk in person and maybe work on their hand work? just a suggestion. Much like the big books stores. I could go and spend a day there and not have to leave. just a suggestion. lots of yummies to eat are always good to have to help keep people there. If you are in a large area that gets lots of tourists this might be a real good idea because it would get quilters to make a destination of your shop. like a bass pro shop or cabellas for us quilters.