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".