I love my local quilt store because, although I am a new quilter, they quickly learned my name and always greet me when I come in the door. They also ask about my 12 year old granddaughter who purchases fabric there. The store is well supplied with quilting materials and the spacious store is well organized. The parking is excellent. When I need help in selecting fabrics, someone is always there to help me. When I travel, I always visit quilt stores. I look for things that my local store does not stock. I always find something to like about the stores I visit even if they are small and crowded with poor parking. The only thing that really turns me off is staff who are talking to each other and ignoring customers.

I like going to new shops to see things my LQS doesn't stock. Price is also a major factor for me. I'm fortunate that I'm reasonably close (1 1/2 hr) to Lancaster, PA. I only shop for projects - not stash. So I'm usually spending a reasonable amount of $$ when I buy. I like staff that knows their store and their products - yes, that fabric is here; no, sorry, we don't have that...would you like to see this? But as someone else said, I'm not overly concerned if they are particularly friendly - just not rude.

Friendly staff and a good selection. I judge the store by its vibe. Good vibes call me back - negative vibes keep me away.

The shop has to be bright and very clean. Lots of finished projects and quilts displayed. Nice book selection and plenty of pre cuts. All the quilt magazines. A big notion wall of items not found at discount stores. Friendly sales people that know when not to hover but when to direct me to new things. A store that if I spend $5 or $500 I know I'm welcome.

The LQS in Texas I go to in the winter couldn't be more friendly. The owner sure makes you feel Welcome. She is always glad when it's time for us to return. My husband and I sometimes go and sit and visit for an hour or two. She even makes him feel welcome. That's Texas Friendlyness.

You could ask the questioner what they mean by worth going to. What would they consider worth it.

True, I should ask that question back to the people who ask me. Interesting...not one response to my question had anything to do with how large / small the store was, nor how many bolts they might have, etc. Friendly, knowledgeable staff apparently ranks very high. I know that each store offers a unique take on quilting irregardless of the size of the shop. That is what I find to be 'worth" it. Everyones' taste in fabric differs but we all agree, we love fabric! It is always "worth" stopping in a store to see for oneself if it is a place to shop and return to.
sandy

I give them a description of my experience and let them make up their own mind if it’s worth going to. I might say it’s in a bad part of town but the prices and selection are great. The staff are so helpful when I need help coordinating fabrics. They have a large selection of hard to find old Thimbleberries designs. They’ve got great classes. They are a Bernina dealer.

I wouldn't want them to drive 50 miles, be dissatisfied and grumpy because I told them it was “worth it.”

A good selection is great. As long as the staff is professional, they don't have to be super friendly. I tend to like choosing my own fabrics so I don't tend to rely on them to help me with selecting fabric. That being said, a shop that has a more friendly atmosphere will draw me back.

All of the above are factors, but one thing I always remember about a shop is the display quilts. I love to see quilts that are different in design. And I hate to see unquilted tops on display. Come on, get it quilted!