Support Your Local Quilt Shop Before It Is Too Late
When you post things on Facebook or Instagram, sometimes you never really have any idea what the reaction will be. Sometimes, what you expect to be an amazing post ends up falling flat to your disappointment. At other times, a post you think will not resonate actually ends up being a huge hit to your total surprise. You just never know until you post it. Take this post below for example.
The post above is a very simple one, but it sure has resonated and caught a lot of eyes, shares, likes and comments. The key part of the post is paraphrased below:
Let me remind you that if you want your local quilt shop to be around for as long as you are alive and quilting, not only do you need to buy stuff from them, but you also need to spread the word about their awesomeness.
Today I am urging you to support your local quilt shop for exactly the reason stated in the quote above. In this day and age, we all have lots of options when we are choosing to buy stuff. On the one hand, you can shop at your local quilt shop and probably pay a little more than other places, but there are of course perks for paying more….service and guidance. It also shows support for a business owner in your community. On the other hand, you could just buy online and your decision can be mainly based upon price and price only.
I do get that a lot of people are watching their finances so they are motivated by price and price alone, but buyer beware that you get what you pay for. Everyone of course has to do what is best for them and their situation. For example, if you live too far from a quilt shop or don’t have access to a vehicle, I do understand that need to buy online and that method is perfect for you and absolutely makes sense. That is just one of many reasons to buy online and please don’t get me wrong that I am absolutely not speaking against buying online. But rather, I am trying to promote the community that exists at local quilt shops before it disappears forever.
If however, you do live near a quilt shop, you should support your quilt shop if you want to reap the many benefits that are derived from quilt shops as there are so many perks to that as well. Having access to teachers and knowledgeable staff members is for sure one of the most important perks and you can’t put a price on that especially if you are in a serious bind or totally lost in a project. Also, there is no replacing the community and camaraderie that resides in a quilt shop. As you probably know firsthand, there are lots of other perks, but that is for another post. My main point here is to support you local shop before it is too late and they close down. If everybody does their part and contributes, local shops will thrive and you won’t lose your happy place.
Only you can decide where in your heart your local quilt shop falls, but think about how you would feel if your favorite shop was gone forever. If that thought makes you sick to your stomach, you need to continue to support your local shop however you can which includes both buying and spreading the word. Don’t delay because you don’t want your local shop to be one of the next to close down and leave a big void in your quilting world and life.
Support Local Scott
26 Comments
Carolie Hensley
Hi Scott, Thank you for the wonderful communications system you have set up. As a shop owner of 41 years, it is refreshing to read the feed back comments from this July 2019 “Spread Then Word “and “Shop Local.” My shop is surrounded by 8 fabulous quilt shops. I consider those shops friends and not competition. We work together
in our Shop Hop yearly as support for each other. I am one of the oldest shop owners, I think and just don’t like
the years piling up! I am a work-alcoholic. Think retiring is boring! So thank you for what you have contributed to the quilting industry! Keep it up!
Wilma Bland
I support local, and ask for specifics I can’t find myself in their shop — if she can locate it I pay in advance if necessary to get it by a certain time. Most of the time they add it to their orders and it arrives in a timely manner. They are a small Mom and Pop shop –he recently retired and is full time at the shop as a Bernina tech as well as helping make those important fabric selections and you want a second or fifth opinion. LOL Quilt Harbor in Aberdeen, WA.
Susan Sorrells
In the past ten years I have seen almost all of what I consider local quilt shops disappear. Within 30 minutes I can visit a local custom window treatment business or Walmart. If I drive an hour I can visit 3 actual quilt shops and Joann Fabrics. I prefer to support local. I like to touch the fabric and talk to other quilters. It is getting very difficult. So yes, please support your local quilt shop as much as possible.
Nancy Harris
There was a local quilt shop in town. The owner was nasty, only sold fabric that was returns from other shops or poor quality. Local quilt guilds requested she carry specific styles (1930s, Civil War) but she refused. Local guild members had taught quilting and sewing for free through the community continuing education programs for years and wanted to include a field trip to her shop but she refused. She refused to have anything to do with the local quilt groups – over a 100 quilters between three groups. So the guilds spread the word about her. Thankfully the shop closed after just a few years. Support is a two way street. You can’t disrespect your customer and still expect them to spend money in your store.
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Nancy,
In this day and age, that just doesn’t cut it. I guess it was karma. I would say that this is the exception and not the rule.
Have a great july 4th.
Scott
Laura Estes
Everyone wants to go to places that are friendly and welcoming. A shop with a friendly vibe is a great blessing.
You can help make your local shop that place. Your attitude, friendliness, will encourage most shop owners/staff to be friendly and helpful as well. Community, and that is what we quilters are, is a two way street. If you come in friendly and expecting friendly, more often than not that is the atmosphere you will get.
The world is full of books, videos, podcasts, tutorials on how to make your shop friendly. But maybe what we need more of, is how to be a good customer, how to let the shop owner/staff know you value them. It isn’t necessarily the person who spends the most money who encourages the most.
Be a pleasant, contented shopper, engage with staff, ask questions, comment on things you like. And if you truly have a bone to pick, do it quietly and seek a private location to discuss it. Don’t embarrass the owner or staff, and other shoppers and you will be more likely to receive a favorable resolution. Remember, no one, including you is perfect, and all deserve a chance to make amends.
Quilt Shop Community is a two-way street.
Scott Fortunoff
Laura,
This is a great comment. I love it so much that i am going to write a post about how consumers can help shop owners. Thank you.
Have a great july 4th.
Scott
Patricia Lavallee
Unfortunately, it is hard to support your ’local’ quilt shop when they don’t carry anything that catches you and their prices are at the very least 20% more than buying the same exact manufacturers fabric online with hundreds of choices and free shipping. We do ‘road trips’ to a place 90& minutes away that has the company’s, styles and choices we love, a fantastic owner and is $2 a yard less. We try, but living on retirement income is one factor for a lot of people and young people can’t afford and/or don’t have the $ to spend when daycare is costing them over $150 a week per child…their hobbies are what they can do with their children!
It does make me sad, because I’ve been sewing since 6 years old! I’m glad I had the idea to stock up on fabric for making myself some ‘quilt kits’ while I still was working. I do get what you are saying, but when you go to a quilt shop and you ask and know more about the new recent fabrics that have come out and the shop owner takes notes because she doesn’t know about any if this….well, it’s not a surprise that small shops are closing: it’s sad.
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for your comment. Again, if price is the determining factor, you need to do what is best for you. If however the local quilt shop is a big part of your life and you don’t want to lose them, that is another story.
Regards,
Scott
Mary L Bird
Scott, I also agree with you. Most local quilt shops are wonderful to visit; some not so great. I try to support as many as I can. Not that we have a lot in my area, but I’m retired and can travel and hour or two to get to a ‘local’ quilt shop. My husband and I travel a lot, too, and I attempt to support ‘local’ quilt shops along our way around the country. So far, we’ve been to 49 states and I have purchased fabric in all 49! Love your products, your blogs, and your FB. Such fun!
Scott Fortunoff
Thanks for the nice comment Mary. You need to support the ones that you don’t want to go away. That is the key.
Have a great day.
Scott
Michelle Tothill
I went on a month long road trip from May 13-June 12. I was in 11 states and 4 provinces. I shopped in all but 3 states and each province. Many of the shops I stopped at I learned about when you did your shop challenge last summer.
I bought fabric, patterns, thread, tools and more. I met many wonderful shop owners and staff as well as other Quilter’s along the way. Additionally, I took classes from wonderful women including Dianne Janssen and Angela Walters.
I made friends along the way and spent my quilting budget for this year and next. But I do know I will continue to shop at the 8 shops within an hour of my home.
Local shops are the best.
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for the comment. Yes, that was a good result of the #scottsentme challenge. Glad you got to see so many great shops.
Have a great week and july 4.
Regards,
Scott
Tina Pietsch
I not only shop my local quilt shops, but last week drove an hour north and two hours south and found great stuff not at my local shops. So it’s worth a drive too! The only time I buy fabric on line is if I need something I cannot find within a few hours of my hometown.
I second the comment the shops need good service and assistance along with fun classes and events. That’s how you attract customers to your shop!
Scott Fortunoff
Hey Tina,
Hope you are well! I go under the presumption that the shops have good service. If not, that is of course your choice not to shop with them. It’s awesome that you are travelling to other shops, but in the end, it is your local shop that needs you the most especially if you don’t want to lose that sense of community that exists in shops.
Have a great july 4th.
Scott
bunni
As a new sewing (not just quilting) store owner, in an area with three stores in a 60 mile radius announcing they are closing recently … it’s given me a pause. But I did it anyway. Because, I love this industry, my friends and customers (most are both), the unique nature of each shop. There’s nothing like what we do and I hope to be able to do it for a long time. It’s almost 9 months now. Can’t wait for 19, 29 and on.
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Bunni,
Good for you! Wishing you much luck and many successful years ahead.
Have a great july 4th!
Scott
Kathryn Dalheim
Scott, I thank you for putting this out there. I do have a favorite local quilt shop (Sew Deja Vu in Stow, Ohio) and I support it whenever and however I can. The reasons it is awesome are too numerous to list here, but I wouldn’t want to be without the help, advice, expertise, and great products they offer. There is a positive energy and it is chock-full of inspiration. I belong to a guild that came out of the owner’s original shop. We felt lost when she had to close for five years and are now joyous that she is back, more passionate and cutting-edge than before. It is like a home for many of us.
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Kathryn,
I know Sew Deja Vu well. Been there a bunch of times when I used to sell to Joann’s. Cute little shop over there and Judy is lovely.
Have a great day.
Regards,
Scott
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Alice,
Glad that you support so many shops. I also think it is great that you try to buy American as much as possible. I wish it were easier for us to produce our fabrics in the US, but unfortunately it is very cost prohibitive. Have a great week.
Scott
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Ann,
It’s hard for me to argue with someone that agrees with me. LOL. You hit the nail on the head though. Keep that “cup” filled. Have a great week.
xxoo
Scott
Diane Olin White
Such true words! I support my local shop because it has the best staff, can answer almost every question we can think, and has excellent quality supplies and fabric. The instructors are also friends and provide the best classes, ideas, and friendships. I don’t care what coupons a national retailer sends, I’ll pay the extra cost for higher quality materials that will not be junk.
Scott Fortunoff
Diane,
You just summed it up in a nutshell and I am sure many feel the same way that you do. I am sure those shop owners appreciate you. Have a great week.
Scott
Ruth Davis
Of course, you are right. But there is another stumbling block coming…We don’t have enough younger people to start a quilting shop business. You need close to $300,000 to do a start up. That a lot of moolah for a pre-retirement person. And our current shop owners are getting older and will at least, be ready for semi retirement again. Banks might be willing to help with loans; but it has to be brought home to them that this is an industry that needs good funding. (I was old enough to be able to get my retirement funds, but there is a law that says you can’t borrow on those funds.) Hence, my sons inheritance is a lot of fabric and yarn! Also, this is a labor of love, not a get rich scheme. Will the industry help support the new owners? Can they afford (or have to afford) the risk?
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Ruth,
You definitely make a lot of good points. Time will tell.
Regards,
Scott
Erin
While it is expensive to open any business, that number is a little high. We opened a few years back with significantly less and have built up as the budget allows. Its hard work and i am certainly not a spring chicken but it has been worth it!