You first of all need to see if there is a need in your area for a quilt store. You also do need to research because some things in order to sell a line cost alot. One of the reasons you don't see Aurifil in a lot of stores because the initial set up is very costly. Can you find people to do classes that will help bring customers in to learn and also to buy. A couple of stores here (very successfull) will give you a discount on your materials for your class, inticing you to buy it there instead of somewhere else. This same store also keeps track of your purchases and when you get to 250 you get a 25 gift card (sale items don't count toward the 250). If you open, put up a list for suggestions for classes, supplies, etc so that people feel they have a choice in what they can get at your store. We have lots of quilts stores here but only one store, and I live in a large area that offers quilting and clothing, upholstering and even wedding materials. Look around your area and see what's there and you need to offer that and more to make them want to come to your store. My biggest complaint around here is most stores offer their classes all during the day, well that sucks for the people who have to work, find out what time frames people would want for classes.