I agree with this and the fact of the affordable classes. I love the idea of the sew ins!! What a great thing to have. It would be awesome!

Our LQS offers 4 or 5 blocks of the month, which they sell for $1.00 per block. If you want to buy more quilt patterns of the BOM, they are $3.00 a block. The catch (if that is a correct term here) is, you must pick up your BOM each month. If you miss a month the block is $2.00. My DIL has made several of these quilts and they are really beautiful. They use the thangle PP method.
What this does for the shop is - it brings quilters in every month and I don't know about you but every time I go in I buy something else. They also offer "finishing" pieces. I am not sure what that means as I live in two states and have not done one of these quilts myself.
The shop is Pieceful Hearts in Naperville, Illinois. One of the best shops I have ever been to. Good luck.

OMG so very very true.

Have a bargain bin. I was in a quilt shop the other day. I asked for a yard of fabric. When she came to the end of the bolt, there was about 1/8 yard over what I wanted. She asked me if I wanted it. I asked if there was a discount, and she said "no." So I asked myself silently, "I said I wanted a yard. Why would I want more just so you don't have a scrap left over? What would be in it for me? I spend more money and get more fabric than I wanted." So I said, "No." She looked disappointed.

Later I was thinking about this and realized that now her only recourse is to put that out at a reduced price. Why not offer the reduced price to me? I also realized in this same stream of thinking that most of the fabric I own is small pieces found in a bargain bin. So I say, have a bargain bin, and offer the end of the bolt at a reduced price to the customer who purchases the bit that came just before it.

In my world my LQS, if I had one would offer free or low cost classes with bring your own fabric or purchase with a discount for that class. Rental time on a long arm would be fabulous. For the quilters with limited space or mobility issues a place to baste their quilts would be nice.
A nice stash of free patterns. And above all a sunny disposition with an I want to help you attitude.

One of my LQS has a shoebox club. We meet once a month. You fill your shoebox with fabrics and take it to the shop. We exchange the boxes and you take someone else's box home. You make a 12 1/2 inch block for that person and bring the box back next month.

Inspiration. I visit other quiltshops and get inspired. Not our LQS! They mainly do business on the internet. I go to other quiltshops and get tons of ideas. I got one last month and even though I bought the main fabric at JoAnnes I always stop in my LQS and pick up a little something to add to it. Don't just educate with quilt project classes, educate on the thread you carry, the needles. Oh, my! After watching superior threads on The Quilt Show I tried their So Fine for machine quilting and I absolutely love it. Little tips to sell other items. I went to my LQS to buy a Quilt Engagement Calendar, they didn't have any. I was in a chat on New Year's Resolutions and someone said they listed their UFO's in the front and they write what they are doing on the days. A quilting diary, so to speak. Wanted to do it. Now I have decided to make my own engagement calendar. I wanted to try the Schmetz topstitch titanium needles. She doesn't carry them. I have to say in her defense she is close to retiring and does not have the marketing motivation bug any longer. diane/Wyoming

I just wanted to add that little demonstrations in the shop on how to use some of those tools. There used to be a young gal at the LQS that was excited over everything. When new fabric was being put out she was, like: "Have you seen this new fabric, it is so cool, I just love the colors." all the while walking over to it. It was the same on notions. She was a quilter. Our LQS has two young girls that tried quilting once they started work there, but they are not quilters. Hence, you go in and ask questions and ???. Marketing, marketing, marketing. Diane/Wyoming

I agree with you about owners being snobish. I recently went in our LQS and the employees did not even one time speak to me. I will not be going back to that shop soon.

My LQS has what it calls VIP every month. They talk about new products, what classes they have and then they have show and tell. It is held 2 days a month and both days have at least 25 to 30 people at it. At the end of the session the line up at the register has about 15 to 20 people buying things. What a way to boost sales!!!

It makes you feel like a little special interest /loyalty in the shop that offers classes - like they care that extra bit about their customers to help them learn properly - kind of a little more of a binding when you need supplies, you think of that store first.
Marysewfun

This is a great suggestion because "you know" once we're their we always need or want something new.

What I would REALLY like is a class, no, single hour or so where someone would really and truly measure me for a clothing pattern. This to be done privately in a closed room, I would have to be measured over panties and bra.
I have a marvelous book on how to do it, but it must be done by someone else. I would personally be wiling to pay 50 dollars or so for a detailed pattern for MY body. I'd even supply the book for them to use for me and other customers.
And yes, I did get a dress form, got the measurements accurate, but it simply does not fit clothing I wear all the time.

And then with new inspiration I would buy the fabric for new clothes, plus whatever quilting stuff I see that I may need then or in the future.

have someone demonstrate a new technique every few hours and customers will watch and buy

good prices and a owner that cares about her customers and greets and treats them friendly

I go to People Places & Quilts in Summerville South Carolina I have never been in a shop that was so warm and friendly. I go back all the time sometimes I get a specail free lesson because I am so new. Warm friendly and quilting go together

I love this idea, I would want to participate in something like this.

Also, one of the quilt shops I go to on occasion is starting a new program where you get a discount card after purchasing so much. Her program will give a $40 discount after purchasing $400.

My first visit to Quilter's Harvest in Higginsville, MO was a memorable one. I had seen the billboard on the interstate, it was about 5 miles out of my way on visits to my daughter. I entered the shop, was met by an employee with a sales flyer and a tour of where everything in the shop was. They had a "back room" of clearance, where the biggest discount was if you bought the whole bolt. I got out of there for less than $100, took home treasures, and am looking forward to my next visit.

Offering more creative classes and at least 20% discounts
on fabric for the class and not charging for using their machines
if you are not able to bring in your machine.

I agree that if you get people involved (with classes, demos, special sales or just offering a place to sew), and they like just BEING in your shop, feel welcomed and not just as a potential sale, you'll find that when a purchase decision does come around - and it WILL, even in this economy - they will want to purchase from you. Be sure that even if you can't afford to carry huge amounts of fabric and notions, please be sure you keep up with what's going on in the quilting world, and be able to special order things for a customer, if that's possible. Good Luck!

I think that everything that has been said are all excellent ideas, and I just want to emphasize the "for real" friendly greeting (most of us are smart enough to know when it is fake), gentle help with suggestions (pressure puts me off every time and no two people have the same tastes), and the "go the extra mile attitude". I recently went into a LQS and was really interested in getting to know the shop because they carry the machine and frame that I am thinking of purchasing ($4000.00+) I was looking around and no one spoke to me for the first 20 mins that I was there, not even a Hello or Welcome. I finally approached the clerk and asked about one of the quilts that was hanging in the shop, I really liked the pattern and she told me in no uncertain terms that the displays were there to be looked at and not copied. If I was interested in copying someone elses work I would have to look in a magazine. I asked about a bolt of fabric that only had 1 yard on it and I needed more and another clerk told me that if she was going to order it for me I would have to pay for the whole bolt and then they would refund what I didn't take. I had never heard of this. I thought okay maybe this was just a bad day for the shop and went back a few weeks later and the attitude was the same. I am very very fortunate to have a husband that induldges my habit and I don't have a budget for fabric, I just spend what ever I want whenever I want (usually $100-200 a month). Needless to say I will not be going back to that shop and won't be spending any of my quilting dollars there. Customer service is the main thing for me and something a little different to lure me in.

One of our local quilt shops in Bradenton, FL holds Friday night "sew-ins" for about 1/2 of the year. I can't remember the name she gave them, but it is a time when folks can bring their machines, some snacks to share, and work on their projects while making new quilting friends. I haven't done it yet, but plan too once I retire - soon. She also sponsors strip clubs - VERY reasonable prices for the Jelly Rolls, and then she works through the directions with those who attend. She sponsers several other customer centered events each month, and offers a wide array of classes. Her shop has many, many very loyal customers.

This right here is the most important thing a shop owner and employees there can do! I wholeheartedly agree with QuiltingGrannie.

At the risk of repeating what others have said - friendly, helpful salespeople make all the difference! If I am greeted and made to feel welcome, I return often. If not, I rarely make a second visit.
A wonderful shop in Franklin, NC has free, weekly half hour mini-lessons from 12:15-12:45. The "class" might be a demo of some technique, a quick quilt pattern idea, suggestions as to how to use charm packs, etc. One day they previewed new items in the shop and how to use them. The timing allows quilters to get together for lunch following the lesson - a restaurant in the center has even started offering "quilter's specials" on that day. The classes I have been able to attend, have had anywhere from 25 - 50 people there and many of the quilters have lined up following the class to purchase the materials to make whatever was previewed. It is a fabulous way to get customers into the shop!

One of our local shops have a sale on the last business day of the month. If you buy the end of a bolt you get it all for 30% off. It is great for buying backings and just to get that really pretty peice before it is all gone.

This sounds like one of the LQS's I've been to lately. Whatever are they thinking? I was appalled when a similar statement was made. My response was to remind her that customer service and adult discussion are more appropriate. I can find better service and kinder store staff across town.

Free lessons when they buy material from you.

Free or inexpensive end of roll or scraps. Discounts and sales. I will often go in for these things but always buy other stuff while I am there.

I have a friend who has a thriving business.She has lots of sit'n stitch groups.One day hand applique,another machine techniques,another bags etc.She also has children's classes which are a great success.

Wow! QuiltingGrannie - you just described my LQS!
The owner is quite snobbish and has her "favorites" whom she will walk away from a customer to greet. Her help isn't much better, but her husband on the other hand is a lovely man who treats everyone nice.
I like to go in when he is there but lately I haven't seen him so I obviously don't shop there much. I would rather drive 1/2 hour out of my way to go to a friendly shop.
I hope "in the long run" her favorites help her stay in business, because I have heard a lot of people complain about how rude she is to strangers.

My suggestion would be to keep the owners' husbands out of the shop. Two of our LQS have husbands in them and they act as "know it alls".so I don't like to go there often. The women are nice and helpful though. They have classes often plus block of the month with several types of blocks at different skill levels.
Sorry but I had to get that one off my chest.

I'm a fondler myself :lol: I talk to myself when an eyecatching fabric "begs" to go home with me

I was in one of my LQS last week and when I asked if they ever have sales, the young woman working there told me with a slight attitude that no they don't because the fabric will sell, anyway. They don't need sales to sell it. I thought Well, Ok. Maybe I really want to go to the other LQS where they do have sales and some fabric that is always
$5.99 a yard and one color a month that is 25% off all month. Realistically, I know I won't quit shopping there because I love some of the fabrics and I can only purchase so much a month and so I have to go back and get more of what I need for a specific quilt.

My LQS does charity quilts for great causes and they supply the material. Everyone comes whatever time you can on the day selected and sits at a machine and makes whatever they want. We also bring a dish to pass, cookies, appetizers, chips, whatever. There is always too much food and too many laughs. We all make the tops and then hand them off to the longarm chicks, and we make many, many quilts in a day. You feel tired and real happy when you leave.

Oh I forgot, you can take quilts home from the pile to bind and bring them back in the next week or so. Just as long as you meet the deadline

I never go to my local quilt shop there are several within 50 miles of where I live. I have never been greated in any of the local shops in fact I am ignored or treeted rudely. However anytime I go to Ne I go to material girls where I am always treated like a friend no matter who is working that day, If I happen to have the time I will travel to Holdredge Ne to the quilt store there also. I also shop a little in tne Hastings Ne store where it is a 50 50 chance of whether you will be treated nice or not, go there mostly for ideas.

Our LGS has a draw once a month. For every purchase you make you get to enter your name. The last time I was there I got to enter twice because I turned my head on the way out and saw something else I desperately needed. (yeah right!!)

You have a point. But it depends on the situation - in my favorite LQS the husband is the sewing machine fixer-upper! He's awesome, last time I was in a poor woman brought in a Bernina she had bought not long before (she was a beginner, too), and the saleswoman went upstairs to get the husband/co-owner. He came straight down and clucked and cooed over the machine, and looked at it straight away while she was there. She ended up leaving with a sub (same model), and I left with a ton of fabric and a great feeling that these people were going to take care of me.

But you're right, if the husband - or wife, etc. - is just a meddler then they need to stay home. Or upstairs. :)

It has been suggested that a room for DHs with a TV and sofa might be a good thing.

When I had a store in California, I always had a pot of coffee and free pastries for the customers. It was a rubber stamp/craft store, and there was a table full of class supplies that the customers could come in and play with all day at no charge. My feeling was to make the shop homey, give them something to eat, and make it fun to stay longer. The longer they stayed, the more often they went home with a full shopping bag and free samples they had made.

So if the LQS were mine, we'd have a pot of coffee and free snacks for the customers. There would be free BOM patterns. At least one class a month would be a free one, and it would cover a different block or topic each time. There would be a sewing area where they could sew and get free advice during the day. And of course, at least one pot luck a month. Whenever possible, I would have visiting teachers present a class, and there would be classes every weekend. There would be at least one sale a month, and regular customers would get extra coupons. Most importantly, I would ask the customers what they want to have in the store, and do my very best to get it.

It's important to have every customer feel she is the 'favorite.'