Sewnoma

I stumbled upon a listing for their shop online, and I'm so sad! They appear to be selling off the whole kit & caboodle. It's a husband & wife team that run the shop now, and I know they've been getting ready to retire for a couple years now, but I'm not ready for them to go!

I hope it gets bought by someone who continues to keep it as a Janome shop, otherwise I am going to be out of luck; I have no idea where the next closest shop is. This one is right down the street, about 2 miles from my house - ridiculously convenient.

I'm so sorry to see them go. Their shop is this tiny little place that is packed to the rafters and I love it in there, cluttery and cramped as it is. I feel like there are treasures hiding all over in there. They're a really nice couple too, I always really enjoy visiting with them. Plus they do all the servicing in-house, no shipping my machines around.

I wish I had the money and the know-how to take it over myself, but I don't have either.

I think I'm going to drop in this weekend and see what they can tell me, if they have any idea about any possible buyers or the eventual fate of their shop. I don't know how long that listing has been there. I should probably have him tune up my 6600 one last time, too...it's a little early but who knows where I'll be taking it next time!!

And I also want to see if maybe they're willing to part with a couple old machines they've been using as shop decorations, vulture that I am....

*sigh* Sometimes I really DON'T like change!!

tessagin

I would ask exactly what their plans are. Maybe they're going to sell the shop but will continue to service elsewhere and will only help a few customers who have been totally loyal. Some just can't retire 100%. Then if it were me and they asked to keep "mum", I would.

ManiacQuilter2

My former LQS that I have shopped since the 90s closed at the end of December 2014. The owner wanted to retire and there didn't seem anyone interested in purchasing the well established quilt shop.

Sewnoma

That's a good idea, maybe Mr. SewingShop will still want to do little side jobs for some extra cash. I assume they live locally, but who knows, they may be moving too. This area is expensive, not easy to retire in.

This isn't really a surprise though, they haven't done the county fair for 2 years now, and this past summer they didn't have a booth at the local quilt show either. They definitely deserve a nice retirement and on that level I'm happy for them.

nativetexan

Mine was to do the same thing but they did not close after all. Sold a lot but revamped their store and stock. Hired consultants and stayed in business.

willferg

Now that is sad news. I've been to that shop, got my first machine there. He is getting old and I guess he deserves to retire…still, it will leave a hole in the sewing machine community around here. I, too, hope someone buys it...

Dolphyngyrl

This happened to my favorite LQS, the problem with established shops is that they are very expensive to purchase which makes them in turn hard to sell becaus the business is worth more. My LQS just ended up selling everything in the shop off which you don't make as much money this way but they had no buyers for about 2 years

Jan in VA

Been there, done exactly that.

Jan in VA

applique

Me too. And if they sell the shop the new owner will most likely have to pay big bucks ($35,000 in my case) to retain the dealership!

BerninaGirl

So hard to see a local store go when you love to frequent it.