I owned a quilt store. It closed in November 2009. I knew opening it would be a challenge, as the economy was really taking a dive. But I thought we could do it, as there were so many quilters in our area. My only big competition was Joanne's. There were other stores within a short drive, but I thought people would be loyal to the stores in our own town.

I found out that people, including me, love to shop at many stores instead of one. They are willing to drive great distances, especially if there is a great deal.

My shop was small, so I did not have a large inventory. I realize now I probably did not turn it over as fast as I should have. But we had great classes. We included classes for new to sewing and children/teens. We had a lot of traffic come in but they did not always buy. It was a nice social center, which I loved; but that did not pay the bills.

I am sorry I had to close it. I would have loved to try it longer. I now have a website and sell unique patterns and such. Plus I sell other peoples quilts.

I also do a couple of shows a year to allow enough income to purchase more patterns and notions. At those shows, I get to talk with several shop owners. I have yet to talk to one that makes money for themselves. They are working there for free, as I did.

I now live in a larger community of several quilt stores. Two of them just closed this past month. I was truly sorry to see them go. But the economy still not favorable to small shops and fabric pricing going up, up, up, I understand.

Those of you that have a shop and can keep it going, more power to you. I miss mine. But now I can sew on things that I did not have time to do before. All I sewed whiled my shop was open were samples. Often my staff did those for me.

I do favor supporting your local quilt store. Even if you go in and buy one cut of fabric a month. That will help their bottom line.

Some areas are suffering more from the economy than other areas. There's a lot to supporting your local quilt shop. It is a place of networking and making friends also.

The only place I buy fabric from is my local fabric shop.The fact that it's local and just 2 miles away is only part of the reason. The biggest reason is the that from the moment you walk in her door you feel welcome,only if you only want a pack of needles.It's that feeling that will keeping you coming back for more than needles.There's usually other quilters shopping for fabric too. We all start talking quilt patterns and color combinations.Usually the owner's mother is there.She has been sick and it seems to make her feel better to sit in her recliner at the shop and talk to the other quilters about how she used to quilt(she's 98 now) .We enjoy talking to her just as much. Her doctor says sitting in the fabric shop talking to friends does her as good as her medicine. The big chain fabric stores may have the fabric but they won't have the friendship and small town values .The fabric is top quality and the owner will order whatever colors and patterns you want that she doesn't have at no expense to you. The small town fabric shop will treat youu like a member of their family,the chain store won't.To them you're just another sale.

Times are really tough all around. Not only are the shops hurting so are families. I try to support my LQS whenever I can.

Several years ago one of the larger quilt shops in the Seattle area, "In The Beginning" had to go out of business because they were losing to online shops. People would go into the store, price the fabric and then shop online for a better price. At least they're still designing fabric.

There was an interesting article on Yahoo this past week about the top 10 mistakes small businesses make.

I've not been buying a lot of fabric lately but I do "shop" my LQS frequently. I don't buy every time I go in there. It's not my store so they can do things the way they please but I can give them a couple of things that would prompt me to personally buy more often in there....but the issues are not big enough for me to not shop there. The LQS is closer to me than Joanne's or Hancock Fabrics. I will say though, when I went in to look at their Christmas fabric on sale - I was disappointed as it was only 25% off. There was a lot available too.

My local scrapbook store closes at the end of this month. Yes, there's another one but it's a longer drive for me. I do plan on going to a couple of their classes but I don't plan on doing the midnight crops as of now. I get that the economy sucks for some of these smaller businesses but sometimes I gotta wonder if there's not something they can't do to help themselves.....I paid $3 on a Friday for as much as a 14 hour crop at my local scrapbook store. Seriously $3 for that whole time - I loved doing that so much I would have gladly paid $1/hr even if I didn't stay 10am-12am I would have stayed longer than 3 hours and that would have put more $$ in their pot. Friday nights were full too! There are a bunch of us now trying to figure out do we go to the other store on Fridays (that charges $5 for the same 10am-12am) or do we get together at our homes.... And you can bet I spent more than my crop fee on Fridays :D

I'm not a big online shopper for fabric or scrapbook supplies. So it's not like I take my money online to get a better deal. ;)

Its kind of frightening to see that we as consumers are spending less, and this hurts the small businesses and in turn makes it harder for us to spend more. Vicious circle, hopefully it will all turn around again one day

I live in Illinois and one of my quilt shops closed after being in business for almost thirty years and the owner had a really great marketing plan and did very well, lots of fabric and patterns and did an online business and every year around the beginning of November did a fabulous open house. When I didn't get my card in the mail this past November, I went their and low and behold she was gone, closed for good and will not re-open. I was devastated. had to find a new quilt shop, I just hate this goverment its killing all the good ones.

I have to say, I think 25% at a LQS is a pretty good deal, they can't give much larger discounts like big box stores because they don't charge the large markup to start with anyway. I will be at my lqs with bells on for a 20% discount :mrgreen:

Thank you lynmccoy, that was beautifully said, my LQS that just closed after being open for almost thirty years, her mother use to be in there all the time, they would even bring in there dogs, it was always so wonderful and heart warming to go in her store, her mother always gave out such great tips, they were worth the weight in gold, the daughter of the owner worked there also, she was going to take over the shop when her mom retired, if she ever did. I miss the shop and all the friendly people.

From what I understand, January has always been pretty much of a slow month for retailers. Money has been spent for Christmas and much of it has been put on credit cards and must be paid back. We pay cash for that very reason. Maybe next month will start being better for her shop. I certainly hope so.

harry, you could always PM those who might be willing to help. that way it isnt public info. i think you should do it that way. i would help if i could. PM those interested, and see how it goes

How true is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I run a sign shop and it can't be that different from a quilt shop. However, I pay more per sq/ft/ for my vinyl than "Signs by Tomorrow" or one of the other franchises. So when it comes to sales I can't sell 1/2 priced signs and banners. I understand all too well that my LQS can't drop her prices 50-75% and still make a dime. They don't have that kind of money in the fabric and they pay extraordinary shipping costs. If you don't believe me take the measurements of a bolt of fabric to your local FEDEX or UPS and see how much it costs to ship 500 miles and multiply that by 2000 bolts. Thats just for shipping.

I buy from my LQS when I can. I do buy on line because many times it is cheaper. I guess I buy half at LQS and half on line. The economy isn't good and with everything going up and not our wages it is hard. With fuel oil prices this winter I have to be more careful as I'm retired also. I love to quilt but I'm not buy as much as I did last year. Sure hope this all turns around soon, not just for us but everyone that has lost a job and losing their homes, cars etc. It a sad state of affairs. Right on about the government!

Maybe you could ask her permission to post it.. it might generate business for her. Just a thought.


My apologies....just read further posting and this suggestion was posted waaaaayyyy ahead of mine...
Intent the same.

I guess that im thankful.I have a great QS in my town.The owner is the sweetiest person that I know.Have a ?,ask,she will go out of her way to find the answer if she does not know it.I dont always have alot of money,but....I try to spend as much as I can to help keep her in business.

Everything we have studied says this year will get worse rather better economically but 2012 is supposed to improve. Those of us on social security are really struggling to survive.

Please, please, no more about the government. After last week's acrimonious posts and nasty name-calling, can't we please limit these posts to quilting/sewing topics?

Dana

Have sufficient stash to weather the high prices, however this is also related to the general economic conditions which we handle with our votes!

Have sufficient stash to weather the high prices, however this is also related to the general economic conditions which we handle with our votes!

I have emailed the shop with this link. I am waiting for a response. I will update you all soon.
-Harry

Thanks Harry. I will look forward to their weblink.

Agree fully! If I remember..isn't it part of the agreement..sort of...when we signed on? Religion and Politics a No-No.

That's so sad. I just bought some of their fabric this weekend. It's really lovely.

I do what I can where I can, and very happy to do so, however, the consumer has only so much money and time for this hobby! Looks like our taxes here are going up again, another big chunk out of the paycheck, along with gas prices that are up, less for my hobby and the stores, darn it! We have so many nice LQS's, I would like to support each and everyone of them every week!

We have a new shop in our area and I am trying to spend at least $50 a month in her shop in the spirit of support. I know that amount is not enough to keep a store open but if everyone in my community would just a a little each month she can keep in business. I also volunteered to teach some classes. It will give me a little spending money (which I can sock back into her fabrics) so my beloved won't complain about any spending on more fabric - just won't tell him.

Well, I called the shop again and the woman who answered was so rude. She basically hung up with me when I asked to speak to the owner. I called back three more times and got the owner finally. She wouldn't let me get two words in on the conversation. She explained she was going out of business and everything that is left is going to pay for taxes. 15 years she ran the shop and now it is all gone. It sounded like they were locking the doors soon. The shop was in Renton, WA., Pieces Quilt Shop. Not a good day!

Thanks for trying 3 and 4 times for this information. I would have ordered something from the shop but the shop owners rudeness only cut off her own fingers. I believe kindness no matter how down-mad-disappointed or done wrong to, always pays off. Thanks again, Harry.

You are probably lucky you didn't order anything. There is another posting today of a woman who ordered something from a shop online that is closing and she has been waiting weeks for her order. Not good but we shouldn't let one bad apple stop us from doing a little good. We can still support our local LQS with a visit in the near future.

Harry

Now that is awesome!

$3.17 per gallon in Navarre FL where I live -- ouch

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