Hi, I am in the beginning stages of researching opening my own quilt/fabric/sewing shop in northern california and I am having a difficult time finding any information on starting such a shop. Does anyone have any information or if anyone can point me in a direction that would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks! Michelle
The naive and innocent way that the question was asked scares me. I am definitely not trying to hurt your feelings or flame you. Is difficult to start and survive in retail. The inventory requirement for a quilt shop is relatively high. A quilt shop is not some thing that can be effectively started small.
Here's my best shot: In so many ways a quilt shop is like any other retail shop. From that standpoint, any books on business management, marketing, etc would be a great start. The U.S. Small Business Administration has tons of helpful information for starting and surviving in small business.
Key factors: Choosing location; getting tax numbers, licenses and permits; finding distributors; securing a line of credit; choosing advertising and marketing; developing a business plan; assessing your competition and whether the area can support a(nother) quilt shop; differentiating your shop from your competition; determining who your target quilters are; hiring good dependable workers; a realistic calculation of ALL costs; and determination of realistic prospect of making an acceptable living.
H>Hi, I am in the beginning stages of researching opening my own
Hullo Michelle We once (or twice?) had a long discussion on this, because we were asked what we would like to see in a quilt shop. So, once you have done all the necessary things that Ron suggested, perhaps you might like to find the RCTQ Archives via Google, and find that thread. I think it was called something like 'What would you like to see in a quilt shop'? or it may have been similar to your own title. Sorry not to be more specific. It was a long thread, and you will find some most interesting things there I'm sure. . In article , Michelle writes
Well, the question was posed purposefully in that way. I have actually been on both sides (the company and the investor) of several "startup" companies (not in retail) I have also started my own company and I understand the difficulties of and the cost of starting ANY business and I understand the cost will be very high for this type of business. That being said, what I was really looking for is a place to find specific information on starting such a business (quilting/fabric/etc.)...as mentioned my research has just begun and i have been looking on the internet for comparables and have not had much luck.
Thanks very much for the information that you have given me....it always helps to refresh my memory!
Hi Michelle, Also check your local library for traffic patterns. This tells you how many vehicles go by a particular location in a day or week. Valuable for drive-by business. HTH, Nana
Do you quilt? Somehow I gathered from you previous post that you don't. It's best to start a business about that which you know. Make a couple of quilts, shop around at the LQS's and decide what you do and don't like about them and you will be on your way.
Michelle, I grew up in Concord...small world, huh. Anywhoo....Walnut Creek already has a quilt shop that is well established...it's a bigger one, even. Danville would be a great place for a shop, really...or thereabouts. SanRafael and Lafayette might not be bad, either.
Sorry, I can't help you. I've always thought it would be a great resource if there was a yahoo group for shop owners/future owners. Who knows, maybe there is one.
Whew, thanks for the gracious reply and appreciation of my attempt to help. Now that you've proven worthy
Here are some distributors:
formatting link
Here are some fabric manufacturers. Hopefully some you haven't already contacted. (copying and pasting these from my IE Favorites was A BEAR!)
formatting link
Some collective feedback from all the quilters I have met in Indy area. Of the three biggest quilt stores: People go to one even though the culture is very cold, feeling compelled to because it has by far the most bolts (6000). They go to another because the culture is so warm, friendly, and caring and they have a good number (4000) of bolts. This store seems to be everyone's favorite. The third store seems to be slowly dwindling away because of moody owner and fewer bolts (2500). Then there is a store in Pendleton that even though 40 miles away is considered a 'must see' because of the kind of fabrics and the presentation. (I have not been there but have been told 'you have to go', many times).
An idea for a differentiator: This requires duplicate bolts of some fabrics. Most shops will shelve fabrics by color groups. This is very useful, however, it would be a differentiator if the fabric collections were also kept together ie, Robin Pandolf, etc. This is done to some extend with groups of theme fabrics, ie kid prints, Thimbleberries, holiday, flannels, etc, but generally not by collections or designers.
H>Well, the question was posed purposefully in that way. I have
Actually I have been quilting for many years and i absolutely love it!! I not only quilt but I sew clothing as well (I prefer quilting though) so i guess i would say i do know alittle something about it. i have visited several quilt shops and do know what i like and dislike about them...i have some interesting ideas on what I would do to make my shop different (and hopefully better). i would never start a specialty business without being able to do it myself.
I have received lots of feedback from other quilters on what they like and dislike about their LQS but the information i was looking for was where I can find information about starting one.
Well'n she could just up and move down here and set it up! Lord knows I'd be happy working there - ecstatic would be more like it! And I know the perfect location for it (there's a vacant shop for lease just up the street, right in the middle of Dingley!). I know lots of crafty people who would support you with all their money and I'd never be late for work!!!
A very small world indeed!! Do you still live in CA? Yes. someone else reminded me of the quilt shop in WC...I don't know how i possibly could have forgotten about that one!!! Danville is sounding better and better!
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.