Life expectancy of an LSS

I think if more people supported LSS they would stay in business longer. I know I am guilty of bargain shopping for my scrap supplies, and most of the time it is at HL . My town doesnt have an LSS, so I dont have much of a choice in that. I have to drive 25 miles to the nearest LSS. If I am visiting a town that has a LSS, I will go there first because most likely they will have things to offer that the major stores dont have. LSS's have the ability to special order items, and are usually able to get the 'newest' items that become available quicker. There was a thriving store in Champaign that I used to go to, and the owners changed hands, then they relocated. The new owners changed EVERYTHING about the store, changed hands again, and are now closed. I dont know why the first owners sold out, but it was a favorite of mine to go to because they had everything!

I wish I had an LSS to support! :-) Linda

I think all the online stores hurt the LSS as well. Besides Hobby Lobby, which is still 15 miles away from me, I have to drive either 60 miles to a town that has one store (and not much else to do), or 100 miles to a town that has one great LSS, an Archivers, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Joanns - even more selection if I head 12 more miles into St. Louis. Then there is no guarantee that I will find the products I am searching for.

With the cost of gas these days, to me the shipping charges when ordering online are always cheaper than the gas it would take to travel. And I know that I am getting the products I am looking for. Though every few months I do have to take that road trip, it is nice to actually see the products and touch them! =)

Linda - When you say Champaign, do you mean Illinois? If so, I am about 3 hours south of there down I-57 in the Marion - Carbondale area.

Cindy

I live in NYC where Scrapbooking is a non-existant hobby. There is one LSS in Bayside but parking is impossible to find near it. The other store is in Northport on Long Island and I just don't have the time to go circling for it again.

There was one in College Point but again it was hard to find. Unless LSSes pay for heavy advertising here in NYC on buses, subways, or billboards I give them 6 months.

I have an AC Moore but parking is hard. There's a Michaels in another part of Queens but you have to pay for parking and I'm not gonna do that.

Bottom line if you aren't gonna advertise then the people will not come.

Cindy, Yes I live in Danville! :-) I've never been to Carbondale before..isn't that where SIU is located?

Ciney, I meant to mention before I hit 'send' on that last message, that I also go to a store in Matoon, IL called Daisy Lane. It's not too far off I-57, and it is WORTH the hour drive for me to go there, but only when I know I have the extra money to blow..LOL

Linda

Linda,

Well, hello almost-neighbor! Yes, Carbondale is home to SIU, and is about 15 miles west of me. I'm actually about 9 miles south of Marion, in the Lake of Egypt area. I have never been to Danville, but my hubby has run up their before to the police supplier, Ray O'Herron.

I have been to Daisy Lane! Great store. Since it is still a couple of hours away, I usually stop there when we head north to Wisconsin to see my grandma. We are heading that way in September, so I will have to remember to stop again.

Cindy

Hi gang!

Just thought I had to pipe up and throw in another LSS to the mix for Illinois.

is in Springfield and a gooooooood friend of mine is on the staff there. They're great check'em out! :-) mommyrazz

I may be in Springfield for work in August..not sure yet, but our Fall food show is scheduled in Late august, and I may get to go! I will have to keep that store in mind! Thanks! Linda

Linda, Will it be over a weekend? DS and I are planning a trip to Springfield to see Lincoln's tomb. He's 10 and his new agenda in life (right now) is to visit the tombs of as many Presidents as he can.

mommyrazz, Thanks for the tip. I'll add it to my list of places to stop when we're there this summer. Thanks, Sandy