Geri B

Peckish-the owner of your LQS sounds like a dynamo-but she too will burn out, unfortunately.
Speaking of Walmart fabric selection- it is not what it used to be...quality wise.....I walk thru,look, keep walking...the closest LQS is about 15 miles away,I will stop by when in area, but not often enough to help them stay open, and I'm sure one day it will have the "store closing sign" in window....owners are getting up in age....and unlike big business there is no board to seek or choose a new CEO!
its true, the cost of fabric has risen, but look around-cars, houses,sewing machines,groceries,medical, it goes on & on!

Battle Axe

I live in Amish quilt country, so there are a lot of LQS close. When ever I am in need of a fabric fix, I visit one or two of them to look, get ideas, pet the fabric, hobnob with friends etc. I always buy something, even if I don't need it at the time. I want them to be there the next time I need a fabric fix. I also shop on line.

Marcia

junegerbracht

This is so true - I stopped going to a shop because of a change in staff. Not always a wise idea to hire a friend or relative.

SusieQOH

This is a very interesting thread.
The largest quilt shop in Columbus ran for 30 years. The owners retired and moved to Florida. A young couple bought the business but closed within two years. Sad.
I like the idea that Peckish talked about- long arm quilting services. Years ago people didn't have a need for them as they do now. That's a great idea.
I don't see how shop owners can compete with online sellers. That doesn't just include quilt shops. I'm talking about just about everything.

sprice

I totally agree with you, Tartan. All this technology is moving way to fast for me. I don't know a Tweet from a HashTag. But we do have this wonderful QB. Was reading about the beginnings of the Best Friends organization and they used CompuServe back in the early 90s to get the word out. I remember friends embracing that technology. I never wanted to give up time with my fabric and sewing machines! Guess we all seek our comfort level!

pegquilter8

All response are true In the past 10 years at least 8 shops that I frequented have closed. On line sales are killing the LQS's. We need to support LQS or say good-bye to more.
I work teaching in a shop and I can tell you classes or offering quick seminars will bring the quilters in. IMHO.

Dodie

This has been a very interesting topic as I have been quilting since the 1980's ad the changes I have seen are amazing, gone are the days when we used scissors and card board templates, women got together to sew together and exchange patterns and what relaxing fun we had then greed came in , designer fabric, patterns copyrighted, against the law to buy one pattern to share with a group, When I started taking classes it was from teaches doing demos from their book with photo copied work then if we wanted the book we bought an autographed copy now everything in on the internet so we no longer need books, patterns or classes and quilting has turned into a solitary thing rather than group also now micowave quilting gotta get her done. we use to be a group all winter on a project

klswift

I think that the most important (and often overlooked) thing you said is that it is a business! That means everyday, all day, no vacations or time away. Because even if you are not there, it is in your head. I ran a store for 29 years and it was hard. If you have employees and want to pay them what they are truly worth, you can't afford them, if you pay them the going wage, they approach it as simply a job and may not put the added work in that you would do because the business is how you support your family. (I know this is a gross over simplification and there are many, many employees who go above and beyond, but this is a basic rule.) In a small store, you must keep pricing up to meet the costs and competing with online and big stores, this really cuts your profit margins. Most owners of LQSs are not making very much money AT ALL. And yet, they are constantly being told that their prices are too high. I loved having my shop and helping folks, but 29 years of no time off and only one vacation (that I still had to spend time on the phone with them), I had to get away from it. I feel that the only small shops that are going to stay open are those that are either not the primary family income, they have their main emphasis on classes, they have expanded into other craft areas or they also sell online. Even Jenny Doan's empire has a HUGE online part of her business. Hamilton is more an extension of the online business than the other way around. I respect all those who continue to run their small businesses and wish them all the luck and good fortune possible. I just got too, too tired.

sailsablazin

I refuse to use a debit card and rarely use a charge card. DH forgets to record what he puts on the debit card and we were overdrawn--that will not be happening again!
I will write a check even though my children all call me a dinosaur...tough! I am appalled at how quickly people swipe their cards at any store.....so easy to get into major debt!

Shopping online one cannot FEEL the fabric which is something that I want to do before I buy it. You can feel the cheapness of a poor fabric....Don't want to put something crummy into my quilt and then regret it later! I will support those local quilt shops with good quality fabric and friendly staff. Staff that is not helpful or ignores me,,,store will lose my business!

Ellen 1

I’d like to add another reason to your list: The internet!!

I do not shop the internet or the big box stores for fabric. The more fabric bought on line or in big box stores, (i.e Walmart/JoAnn) is money that is not going to a quilt shop. The smaller businesses need our business to stay open!! I also want quality fabric when I make a quilt, another reason to add to your list. :-)

Ellen