Stock the quilt store....ideas welcome!
03-26-2011, 04:34 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 475
Looks like all kinds of ideas, I cannot think of anymore, so it looks like I will just wait and see when this store is ready to open and then all my friends and I will travel to the store with our $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in hand. Oh! I guess there is one idea, gadgets. Some of my friends are real BIG on gadgets.
03-26-2011, 04:47 AM
#52
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,532
Good employees who are friendly and helpful when needed but don't hover!
One LQS has a Studio that they offer a club for. Membership is $25 for 6 mos., you can go in any time in that period to use it as much as you'd like. I think that's a "win/win" for the customer and the shop.
One LQS has a Studio that they offer a club for. Membership is $25 for 6 mos., you can go in any time in that period to use it as much as you'd like. I think that's a "win/win" for the customer and the shop.
03-26-2011, 04:50 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID
Posts: 755
I don't have grands yet, and my girls are way beyond this stage, but I've seen moms struggling with their active little ones and getting frustrated not being able to concentrate on fabric/whatever selections and leave in a
hurry without being able to take the time to shop.
How about a small "contained" fun place for the little ones to play in while Mom/Grandma shop? Maybe a tv/dvd player, large legos, books, pegs - age appropriate interesting stuff
they MAY not have at home to play with. You wouldn't have to hire full time staff to oversee as it would be sporatic, but rotate your regular staff to be the "eyes on the kiddos" when needed.
Coffee/water are great ideas. Shopping is thirsty work! A nice piece of chocolate with the store logo/name on the wrapper would be fun! If people are able (after buying so much), I see nothing wrong with a donation-type jar. Maybe
have a donation jar drawing monthly to win a small prize (pin cushion, transfer pencil, etc.)Make a small donation, take a chance to win a small prize.
Maybe after you're up and running, offer once-monthly free class. Our LQS does this, and it has rewards for all. People get to learn or hone-up on a skill, get a 10% discount coupon for that day only, and the cash register stays BUSY. Fun and worth it for all.
Everyone has great ideas for your shop along with the ones you've probably already come up with. Good luck on your new
endeavor and I wish you much success!
hurry without being able to take the time to shop.
How about a small "contained" fun place for the little ones to play in while Mom/Grandma shop? Maybe a tv/dvd player, large legos, books, pegs - age appropriate interesting stuff
they MAY not have at home to play with. You wouldn't have to hire full time staff to oversee as it would be sporatic, but rotate your regular staff to be the "eyes on the kiddos" when needed.
Coffee/water are great ideas. Shopping is thirsty work! A nice piece of chocolate with the store logo/name on the wrapper would be fun! If people are able (after buying so much), I see nothing wrong with a donation-type jar. Maybe
have a donation jar drawing monthly to win a small prize (pin cushion, transfer pencil, etc.)Make a small donation, take a chance to win a small prize.
Maybe after you're up and running, offer once-monthly free class. Our LQS does this, and it has rewards for all. People get to learn or hone-up on a skill, get a 10% discount coupon for that day only, and the cash register stays BUSY. Fun and worth it for all.
Everyone has great ideas for your shop along with the ones you've probably already come up with. Good luck on your new
endeavor and I wish you much success!
03-26-2011, 05:08 AM
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 1,866
Our local shop does a 20% discount on all books. You would be surprised how many people will come to the shop just to cruise the book shelf. The owners say it brings people in from miles around. When figuring postage etc, the cost is almost the same, plus you can actually LOOK through the book before you buy. They also sock an area of "flat fold" fabrics. These sell really well for backings. They find people will buy off the wall for the top and then go to the flats for backing. These are good fabrics, usually last years patterns but--
Also a section of 30% off items. again mostly last years overrun from the fabric companies. This area sells well to beginners who are afraid to commit the $$ for a new project when they are just learning.
They also carry a shelf for DVD's on quilting.
They leave their class area open to customers to come and baste a quilt or just to come and sew for a while.
hope that helps a bit. Oh yes, they run the buck a block series every year. Amazing how many people come in for that. Some drive 50+ miles once a month to get that.
Also a section of 30% off items. again mostly last years overrun from the fabric companies. This area sells well to beginners who are afraid to commit the $$ for a new project when they are just learning.
They also carry a shelf for DVD's on quilting.
They leave their class area open to customers to come and baste a quilt or just to come and sew for a while.
hope that helps a bit. Oh yes, they run the buck a block series every year. Amazing how many people come in for that. Some drive 50+ miles once a month to get that.
03-26-2011, 05:09 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 621
You already mentioned classes but the times of the classes are important too. My LQS has lots of classes, but the times just are not right for me, or they last 4 or more weeks and my schedule keeps me from being able to attend 1 or 2 of the the classes in the series.
I work full time so a class later in the evening would be good for me. Their evening classes start too early and they run on for too many weeks.
Good Luck with your Quilt Shop, if you can implement all these ideas... It will be GREAT!
I work full time so a class later in the evening would be good for me. Their evening classes start too early and they run on for too many weeks.
Good Luck with your Quilt Shop, if you can implement all these ideas... It will be GREAT!
03-26-2011, 05:13 AM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Morganton, Ga
Posts: 944
Love the above suggestions. I would like to see something for art quilters. I love all kinds of quilt projects, small gifty things, big stuff and everything inbetween.
The designer that really makes me go out of budget range is Alexander Henry, can't resist his stuff. I know that selling trends are important but would drive many miles to buy his line. Good lighting is a must.
The designer that really makes me go out of budget range is Alexander Henry, can't resist his stuff. I know that selling trends are important but would drive many miles to buy his line. Good lighting is a must.
03-26-2011, 05:14 AM
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: nevada
Posts: 827
Originally Posted by Woodster
How about a small "contained" fun place for the little ones to play in while Mom/Grandma shop?
My LQS has a small rug in a corner with a box of legos and a few toy cars ect -- it's not much, but it keeps my son busy for a little - and is much appreciated by both of us
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