Quilting Shops keep going out of business

[Frances L.]

They expanded the notions because you can pick them up and put them in your cart and pay for them at the front. They are phasing out fabric because then they have to have an employee back there to cut it for you.

[Frances L.]

Every craft and hobby shop is exactly 25 minutes from me no matter what direction you go. North, south ,east ,or west, 25 minutes just pick and direction and drive. I don't shop on the internet for fabric, but I do look. That way I can ask the gals in
Arcade if it is good and if they would get it for me. I support local businesses as much as possible. Someday I want to own a coffee shop/ meeting house. A place where people meet and do thing like quilt together or scrap book ect. Just kick back and visit without feeling rushed. There for I feel people should always support the little guy.

[Frances L.]

There is one LQS I go to fairly frequently, but its across town. It has the best selection, classes, gives a guild discount, and I know and like most of the people there. There is another LQS that is closer to me, but the selection has decreased. I loved it when I first went there, but since, they have moved & downsized and therefore reduced inventory. I was just there last week and saw they downsized again and can no longer offer classes. I'm sure she'll be closing within a year. I went specifically for some backing fabric I knew they had, but I felt so bad for their business, I ended up purchasing a kit for a pattern I had been eying.

If anyone is in or near Saline, MI, stop by The Quilting Season on Michigan Ave. Very friendly gals who may just lose their shop.

[Paula D.]

Well, I'm near Saline! In Ann Arbor, actually. I'll check out the Quilting Season store. I must admit I haven't been there since they moved a couple of years ago. You know, the retail crunch is not specific to quilting stores. Any business that must pay rent and outfit a store, heat and air condition it, pay for utilities, pay employees, etc., etc., is forced to compete with online stores that have no such expenses, and can even operate out of their basements or garages. When you shop there, you must pay taxes. That, plus the price of gas, and you see some incredible differences in prices of goods. Add to that the "big box" chain stores who offer lower prices since they buy in bigger volume. And how many quilters can discern the difference between quality quilt shop fabrics and greige goods and knock-offs at JoAnn's. What is the answer? The local store must compete by offering services the online store cannot. OR - the store must get online too. We saved $1800 recently on a high definition television. There was no sales tax, and delivery was FREE. Would anyone out there opt for taking their business to the local store?

[Patti P.]

Thanks Kimber. Now that I have more mobility I can finally go find the quilt shops. I'll have to find Saline and check it out. I'm just off Michigan Ave.

[Patti P.]

Hey all you MI gals.... take a ride to Hadley which is in Lapeer County ... ( 75 miles of Detroit) we are 20 minutes south east of Flint.

Our Quilt Show will be on September 12 and 13 th.... We always say IT IS WORTH THE DRIVE TO HADLEY.

I will be here all day Saturday... (Friday I work but I might get it off ) We have 5 quilt stores in a 20 mile radius up here... but Elaine's shop is the best. Come on over!


http://<br /> <a href="http://www.a...index.html</a>
Quilty Shop Home Page

http://<br /> <br /> <a href="http.../QS08.html</a>

HADLEY MI QUILT SHOW INFORMATION

[Mary L.]

There's a LQS about 5 miles from my house that really is my "hangout" spot. They get my business the majority of the time. Another much larger one is about 45 minutes away. I visit that one because it's halfway on the drive to my daughter's home (where there are my darling granddaughters ) Another is about 35 minute south - but not being on the way to anywhere and w/ the price of gas, it's a rare visit.
I definately support the LQSs - but once in a while buy online. For example, I wanted a certain backing for a quilt I did as a class in a LQS (it was a kit) and the owner didn't want to order a whole bolt for me (understandably). But, as for quality, I already knew what the fabric would be like from the kit fabric.
Oh, and once I splurged when Ricky had a sale!!!

[Annette R.]

I splurged when Ricky had his sale too (not only did I have a gift certificate to Ricky's shop but I added my birthday money and then some) But to me, even though I am ordering on line when I order from Ricky, I don't feel guilty. His fabric isn't available in LQS's (not the handdyes) and it is like supporting a local. It is just a TQS local.

Ann (in Illinois waiting to go to retreat)

[Annette R.]

Well I don't have any quilt shops nearby me, heck my sewing machine dealer is a 6 hour round trip, but my opinion is that quilt shops need to evolve with the times.

If their market audience prefers to shop online, then they should be taking their business online. There's no reason at all that they can't cater to both markets, and are only hurting themselves by not adapting to the changing market.

Have you "Tinkled" today?

[Annette R.]

Well I don't have any quilt shops nearby me, heck my sewing machine dealer is a 6 hour round trip, but my opinion is that quilt shops need to evolve with the times.

If their market audience prefers to shop online, then they should be taking their business online. There's no reason at all that they can't cater to both markets, and are only hurting themselves by not adapting to the changing market.

Have you "Tinkled" today?

I couldn't agree more. When a shop continues to carry fabrics that the customers are not buying, that is not good business.

I will continue to support the local shops, but when they don't have the fabrics and supplies that I want, then I go to the internet. The shops need to adapt to the changing market if they want to survive. Marge

[Annette R.]

How are the LQS suppose to know what types of fabrics the quilters will want? First it is CW and repro that people by hot and heavy... then Aunt Gracies... now its 40s and 50 repro that show up everywhere. Brights and batiks will sell in one area but not another. How are the shops suppose to know?

I love DVDs I learn alot but should the shop I go to stock them all? Same for the books available... last year I counted just a 100 on my wish list I bought 12 as I allow myself one new book a month or I would run amoke.

If shoppers do not support their LQS realizing there is a limit as to what they can stock then the LQS will not be there for long.

[Annette R.]

If I'm not in a big hurry, our LQS will order stuff that I want--book, notions, DVD--and that has worked well for me. It doesn't take much longer than ordering on line. I'm lucky that our LQS is only about 7 minutes away.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Mary K.]

I have found that each quilt shop reflects the personality and tastes of the owner (and majority of the clients).

I have been fortunate to live in two thriving quilting cities since I began quilting 8 years ago (Houston and Denver). In each city, I had the choice of 8 to 10 shops within a reasonable drive. In each case, the shops were all different - some more traditional, some more artsy, etc..... I made the choice of the ones that a) the people who worked at the shop were friendliest to me and b) had material and products that I was most interested in.

I also do a LOT of shopping on line, and have found something similar - some are more friendly to shoppers than others. I have seen shops go out of business in both cities.... and the one in Houston than I am thinking of, and the one in Denver/Boulder that I am thinking of, both seemed to not be focused on customer service and keeping customers coming back. Neither of these shops appealed to me, so I rarely stopped in.

[Mary K.]

I live in a rural area, and there is no LQS within a half hour of me...and the nearest one doesn't have a very inspiring selection. It would really be nice to have a shop nearby, that offered great selection, fun classes and other support. Since this isn't the case, I do most of my shopping on the internet. I've found many, many great sites, and can get virtually any fabric I need (and the more I browse, the more I "need"....!). Savings on gas and sales tax make up for shipping costs, plus many sites have sale and clearance sections with exceptionally good prices. And it is so fun to get a package of fabric in the mail!

It would also be nice to have a place nearby where I could get my sewing machines cleaned and serviced; the closest is an hour's drive from my house. I guess I can't get this done over the internet ): Where I used to live, in CA, there was a sewing machine repair/service man who came to your house...VERY convenient!

[Mary K.]

Another MID MI quilt shop bites the dust... Aunt Nan's in Oxford is going out of business first two weeks in Jan they have sales.

Such a shame.

Heard rumors the one in Millington is also going out of business.

The economy really sucks.