I've seen many posts lately about the poor economy and how that has affected local quilt shops and other small businesses. With the price of cotton going up I'm sure the additional cost will have to be passed on to customers.

What suggestions do you have for local quilt shops which would help them to keep quilters' coming back?

sales of course. maybe some small affordable classes and just some sew in's where quilters can get together just to sew and chat. door prizes once a month.

I really like the sew-in idea. Sometimes the problem isn't getting people to buy, it's getting people in the door in the first place. It is also a "friendly" thing to do, which is always a big perk.

If the LQS is THE place to be, it'll also be the place to buy.

This is true, many of them have class rooms sitting empty a lot of the time :D:D:D

Great Customer service will keep them coming back and inviting others to join them.

Treating EVERY customer the same no matter if they spend a thousand dollars at a time or just a few dollars. Some shop owners are a bit snobbish to some customers which hurts them in the short and long run. If you treat customers right they will come back.

I agree with this post...even free quilting classes..they will end up buying rulers and fabrics and keep coming back.

One of my LQS has block of the month programs, you have to come in person to pick up the next month's kit. And bring in your completed block from the previous month for a little discount.

The thing that brings me back to my local shops - projects on display that I fall in love with and have to do, and new fabrics that need to be fondled and drooled over (I try to limit the actual drooling to NOT on the fabric ... lol!).

What about sponsoring a fabric swap? No purchase necessary, get together with other quilters and trade stash.

Not only would it foster goodwill with the quilters who participate, but no doubt people who get new (to them) fabric will want to buy items to complement it - coordinating fabric, a new pattern, a notion they heard someone else talking about, etc. Maybe offer an after-hours discount to this group, for that day only?

We have a quilt store that offers their sometimes empty classrooms for a sit and sew day. This not only is good for us but for the shop as well. We buy fabrics and notions as long as we are there. It doesn't matter if we need them, they just catch our eye. Good for the Quilt shop, yes?

Ours used to do this once a month on a Friday night and it was a huge success. They made a lot of sales. Now they charge $20 and have dinner brought in so I can't go anymore. I can't afford it.

Free Block of the Month patterns will always bring me into a shop. :-D

That's the thing - it has to be completely FREE to participate. A potluck would be much smarter.

I would love more sales. Ours never have any it seems!

We have 2 LQS's - The first one is great in customer service, fabric, and classes, The other isn't. They never have sales or classes and the fabric is atleast 10 to 20% higher. I don't know how they stay in business.

I agree that classes are a great way to get folks in. Even though I don't have to buy the supplies there, they usually have made it convenient to purchase a kit with any special templates or items I need. Sometimes even the fabric if you want My favorite quilt store has machines in the class room so I don't need to take mine. That's a real draw for many, not having to lug around a machine. Also it gives people the chance to try out the machines! Not a bad idea if you sell machines.

I think if they were to offer a "club" where you can pay so much per week and then have the money to spend. For instance, $5 a week for ten weeks would be $50. Where I am from small businesses do this and it makes things easier to pay for and still get nice things.

My nephew owns a bike shop in LA. He is often told my some customers that he is more expensive than online. However, the customers come back to him. Why? Because he adds value to the purchase with knowledge. He helps fit the bike to way it is going to be used and helps to personalize it.

A local quilt shop has to do the same to stay in business. They have to be a "fountain of knowledge" so that the customer feels that they are adding value. This can be done by helping to select patterns and fabrics, offering classes, offering services or connections for services that quilters want and demostrations. Helping to host local shows etc.

Ours runs sales periodically and every summer they have a tent sale to get rid of last years fabrics. Mostly, it's about being friendly!! That's why I go back to the same one. They are so nice there. I just wish it wasn't an hour away or I would go more. :)

As a new wanna be quilter I looked and looked for a local quilting class just to see if I could do it. I found nothing in easy driving distance and even those were very expensive lessons with several sessions. I found this board and am now having a great time learning from all you experts in the BOM groups. I think that a beginner's class with just a small block to start would have drawn me into a local shop. :-)

Fantastic customer service! Be helpful to everyone, not just your regulars. Also, great beginner classes can attract new business. I often see beginner classes that aren't very good.

Our LQS has offered us her classroom to sew pillowcases for ConKer Cancer. The ones who do come always spend money for other projects so it is a win win situation

I think a free intro class would be great! Get people hooked, then they can't help but come back! :twisted:

All of the fabric shops in my area are so obliging they will cut FQ out of any fabric and sell some of the discontinued fabric as cheaper FQ, they all have remnant bins.A group of us get together at a church hall pay $5.00 each This covers the cost of the hall, door prize, along with instructions for an item you can make with FQ.Often these items can be used as small gifts. One of our FQ projects will be the topper from Riversongs tute. Another will be the Moda Bakeshop Bookeeper pattern.This way it's fun and encourages new quilters.We also have old rulers and mats to use at the hall.All of our new quilters are happy with the shops treatment but they are all an hours drive away so for a lot shop courses are just too expensive to start with.

"DITTO" Well said! Always smile.

in-house classes, or even "sit & sews," would draw me in. The quilt shop closest to me does not offer these (lack of space). I so wish they did... Also, the availability of a Large table to be used for sandwiching would be a draw. (Small signs in the shop could advertise this nicety.) The BOM where the quilter buys the first one and gets the rest for free if they come in on a certain day with the previous block as evidence of their prowess would be draw. The complimentary use of a light box would also bring quilters in. Having an area with a couple of easy chairs, hot water for tea, and a few magazines will encourage customers to browse. Allowing quilters to consign their quilts and other goodies in the shop might help. A 'frequent buyer' card offering a grab bag of fabric after 10 or 20 shop visits. Mini in-store quilt shows every once in a while. Simple things like these that establish relationships with the quilting community.

My local sewing/quilting shop offers many classes you have to pay for, but they also offer many free lectures/demo. I have been in there on a Saturday morning shopping and the room is full! They don't charge anything for the lecture and the topics are amazing. You don't have to register you just show up. They cover so many different topics which reach a variety of interests. It never fails after the class the shop fills with shoppers!!

As a former quilt shop owner, I have 2 suggestions.

The Free Sew day is always profitable. The sewers always buy something and other shoppers are usually inspired by all the creativity. We had it every Wednesday, the quilters brought in potluck, it was a terrific thing and lots of fun!
The second is to organize sewing retreat weekends. Small groups relish the opportunity to sew for long periods...again the same benefits as the first.
Actually- third...be friendly but not pushy. Smiles and enthusiasm go a long way to help your business.

My favorite quilt shop is 45 mins away. What keeps me coming back is the staff and owners. They're friendly, helpful, and remember my name. It's a small cozy shop.

They hold monthly sewing nights but also let you use their classroom if there's no class be taught. That's great because the owner also repairs machines and is always willing to help with a machine problem for free. He even spots a problem before you're aware of it!

When customers, especially new ones, walk in the door, they should feel welcomed, not like they're intruding. Make them feel like friends. If they leave with a smile on their faces, they'll return. Sometimes I just want to look and get ideas for my next project, but I'll be back to buy. Also highlight the projects in the classes that are coming up. What's new??

My LQS is awesome. They have open sew every Wednesday, FREE, sleep at home retreats once a month ( Thurs, Fri, Saturday, from 10 am until 9 at night, Cost is $40.00 with dinner included and drawings for prizes. Every week there is something on sale, whether it be notions, fabric, patters, etc. Book club where you get 40% off one book a month. Lots of classes and clubs plus they are wonderful people. They have no problem keeping their customers coming in. Love, love, love them.
Sandy in MI

I agree with many of the above suggestions. I have 5 LQS within a 30 minute drive from me, and I try to hit them all and give them some business.
Sales are a great way to get customers in, great customer service is also vital so they come back, sew-ins and affordable classes get people in your stores too. Each LQS should have a sign-up sheet so first-time customers can sign-up for the shop's newsletter an stay updated and coming back.
One of the shops near here is starting free demos every month, I think it is a cool way to get quilters in to brush up on techniques or learn new ones for free, and I bet many will leave with a little something from the shop.
Also, guest speakers are a huge draw to quilters.
I guess I am trying to say, whatever the shop can do to lure people in, will likely encourage sales, because most of use would likely leave with something.

lessons- lessons- and more lessons-....AND quilting groups to meet at the shop.

I am on a VERY tight budget, but travel 45 minutes instead of 8 minutes to go to a particular quilt shop because they not only run specials, but the owner is very friendly and helpful.
She happens to be a dealer, too, and honored my warranty even though I didn't purchase my machine there. She gave me free owners lessons, too and lets me use her machine since I'm disabled. Now that's customer service, but it works! She has gained many people from my town even though her stock isn't quite as big. She has an e-newsletter with all the classes and sales for the month.

If they have large tables they can offer a place to pin/baste quilt tops. It is very true that samples sell so giving a discount on fabric in exchange for samples is often good. And the customer wants all her friends to go in and see her quilt hanging! Also some have midarms or long arms or even "class" sewing machines to be rented. Try it you might buy it!

We have a shop close by that has a $5 BOM. It runs for 12 months and each month you must show up at the appointed time and bring your completed block. Then you get your next one free. There is a catch - it must be completed (or you are charged another $5 for the next month), then you sit through about an hour of show&tell, here is what is new in the shop and this is what is upcoming. She also does a free "hand work only" sit and sew sometimes on a Sunday afternoon as well as Quilts of Valor and Pillowcase days. All of which are free and gets folks into the shop. It is not unusual to have long lines those days at the cutting table.

Yes, I think a low cost BOM would bring folks in the door, and once there, likely to spend. All I know is that I felt more welcome at the LQSs in Kansas 15 yrs ago than now. I do perceive that snobbery sometimes. Sad, b/c I'm blessed to have a good job, I don't have to get approval from my hubby for any expense, and I like quality. They don't know what they're missing. B/c I prefer local shopping, but I don't get any attitude online!

In one of my lqs,we had a free sew in day,this one happened to be Friday. we brought lunch or went out as a group, One of the owners would sew with us. Most of the time the other owner,would go to the shelves and pick out some fabrics and would have and instant sale. Did well with it as all of us would ooooh and awww over it an reach for the same bolt. lol

Sales are always good. Sales always make me think that I am getting a deal. One LQS accepts 1 Joann's coupon on Sat during month, Another has 20% off sale on all fabric when month has 5 Saturdays. Most will give discount by % or $ off after buying so much fabric. One reason that I do not like Walmart is that they never have sales even though their prices are usually cheaper.

I agree, They need to keep the class fee less. Ater we spend for all the supplies and the classes. We have some VERY EXPENSIVE quilts!!!

The idea of free classes is great. Keep them small. Have introductory classes. There are a lot of people out there who are not quilters yet, but would like to know what all the talk is about. Boy if you can get a couple of new quilters a month look at the potentional