CarrieAnne

One of ours has a punch card too, the other one really has no specials or deals...no coupons, nothing. Problem is , the one with NO deals has alot more stuff, and is WAY bigger. Wish it were the other way around!

cashmommy11

the lqs in johnson city on Roan street is great

Oklahoma Suzie

I want lower prices, good fabric, lots of selection.

blahel

MY ideal store, well i think i would like to see the fabric sorted by designer then color. I would also like to have a cheaper section sorted by color so when you want a cheaper fabric you dont have to wade through all the ones that are too expensive. A loyalty card would be good too. Some sort of a grading system would be nice too, say like A for best quality and so on so you know what you are buying.
It would be good if the store could have a tv on with different products featured and how to use them as half the time you look at things and think that might be good but dont know how to use it so you just leave it.

craftybear

love this thread!

quiltluvr

Have friendly, knowledgeable staff, more notions, big selection, advance notice on upcoming fabrics, informal show & tell groups, promote quilting activities in store, contests of any kind, a newsletter (if don't have one already), customer appreciation shopping days are what come to mind.

To me, fabric is more appealing when it is displayed by color, easier to find.

PurpleBecca

My LQS is a little disorganised - but very friendly and welcoming - I can understand the lady with the CTS struggling to get bolts in and out - My DH doesnt let me remove bolts as 'I dont put them back properly'!! - its Ok though he does it for me!

I am not interested in fabric by designer or range - I want to see by colour. I usually buy fabric to finish off (sashing and binding) or accent a quilt. Unless its on sale - when I buy for my stash, based on 'I love it - its cheap!'

I'd like to see more people to chat with and quilts to discuss etc. More info about classes and other events... Although thats not the shops fault - quilting just isn't that big here!!!

Oh! and I'd love coffee and a place to sit down and browse magazines or books!

Lyn4ty

I love a LQS that is friendly and helpful, I don't care if it is a big or small store, I want to be treated like a friend, not another purchase/money. Have a store in Ashton, IL Cottage Garden Quilts, that is all that and more. Shope is small, but has lots of fabric and organized well by color, you don't feel cramped in there and the ladies, Cathy and Cheryl, are so knowledgeble and friendly they are like family and friends even if you only come in a couple of times a year. When no one else has what I want I know they will help me find something to match, calculate how much I need and give me the best price they can. this is how all LQS should be, and believe me not all are.

seamstome

I went into my ideal store someplace in TX west of SA. Now realize I live near Chicago.

It was huge, well organized. Each room by style and color. Plenty of room to stand back and look at your colors. Great examples displayed of all types of quilts. Nice notion selection.

I drive an hour and a half to my next favorite one. It is crowded but has alot. As a businessperson, I know this LQS probably pays the same amount for rent as the one in TX that was four times the size so I can accept it being crowded since it has variety.

Joan

Some of the things I look for in a Quilt Store are:
*a sale or two
*examples of finished quilts with patterns below for inspiration
*a variety of types of fabric
*friendly staff who offer advice, suggestions and help
(my local quilt store even helped me learn how to
make french knots one day)
* offer classes at reasonable rates