META: Number of posts on RCTN.

On 1/3/04 1:23 PM, in article ,
"FKBABB" wrote:

I wonder if someone could pull this off - a cooperative set of shops set in
a "court yard" plaza/mall. A yarn shop, a needlework shop (with broad range
of areas), a quilters shop, a finisher/framer, a tea/coffee shop, maybe even
a bookshop all opening in to a courtyard area (not necessarily open to the
air) with comfortable seating. BRBR

I've been thinking about this, too. I'd add boutiques for weavers and rug
hookers and a sewing store with high quality fabrics, plus a chocolate shop
and
a gallery area for changing exhibits (and sale) of works by local fiber
artists
(to bring in, and perhaps convert, folks who are not needleworkers). I'd use
the courtyard not just for seating, but for demonstrations of techniques and
classes. The bookstore would be important to give non-stitching spouses
something to do and maybe one or two other shops selling stuff with cross over
appeal, such as a hobby shop with models and miniature furniture and an
electronics boutique emphasizing soft and hardware for stitchers. All the
shops could pool their resources (and save some overhead) to do a joint
newsletter, advertising, and a website. Make it a real destination place that
would pull not only from a wide local area but be a must see for tourists,
too.

Annie


Oh - brilliant idea! I like it - models, all kinds of models. My real goal
is to keep it craft oriented. The courtyard should be multipurpose. Work
tables and lights, displays. A place to eat is a must, keeps the noncrafters
happy too!
Cheryl

Cheryl

I appreciate that the LNS owner has a family and she'd like to be home with
them in the evening, but she needs to realize that businesses operate for the
convenience of the customers, not for the convenience of the owners. If we
can't get there during her open hours, it's easier for us to find someplace
that will serve us when we can shop, than to change our schedules to
accommodate her. I've been mail-ordering for decades because by the time I get
home from work, cook, clean up after dinner, and have time to shop, that's the
only option that's available to me. Pre-dated substantially even the first
beginnings of the internet.

I would love to see an LNS open from noon to 8 or 9 as their weekday
hours. This will give the people working 9-5 and those working second
shift opportunities to shop daily. The owners need to weigh the
amount of business they get from 9 or 10 am (whenever they open) to
noon or 1 compared to the after 5 group. They may find the hours are
hurting their own business by being closed during prime shopping time.

If you can only afford to be open 7 hours a day, don't waste all of them on the
hours your employed customers are at work. Open at noon and close at 7 PM.
Between 10 AM and noon, I'm practically the only person in the store. After
the noon to 1:30 office worker lunch rush, I'm again practically the only
person in the store till the first of the government workers start getting out
at 4. Then the place is packed till they lock the doors at 5 ... preventing
those who work till 5 (i.e., the 2/3 who *don't* work for the government) from
buying anything there after work.

[snip]
If I can get the floss I need at WalMart today AND save a quarter on it, I'm
going to WalMart rather than waiting till Saturday to pay *twice* as much at
LNS. I need it now, not four days from now.

I've known too many family businesses (and been part of some of them) where it
was understood that the business had to accommodate its customers' schedule. My
extended family ran several bakeries ... people want to pick up pastries for
breakfast at 6 AM, not when it was convenient for the owner to get to the store
at 11 AM.

[snip]

If 80% of your clientele wants you to keep your store open till 6 or 6:30 so
they can shop after work, you can just learn to eat dinner at 7:30. Or you can
guarantee yourself that that 80% of your clientele is going to start going to
the store that's open when they want to shop. It doesn't necessarily have to
be WalMart, it could be the small store the next town over whose owner is
willing to put his customers' needs ahead of his own.

Excellent points. I am more likely to shop at Michael's for two
reasons. One is the selection is better than Wal-Mart. Two, the
hours are much better. Even with Hobby Lobby open until 8pm, it's
still difficult for me to make it to the store. To be convenient for
me, an LNS almost has to be open on Sunday, since I work long days,
Saturday is cleaning day, leaving Sunday for church and stitching.

I worked at a bakery where the owner started the first batche at 4am.
By 6:30 (store officially opened at 7), he already had customers.
They were never turned away, instead he opened the doors early. He
knew to survive, opening at even 8:00 was too late, as most people
were on their way to work.

In article ,
(ubersnott) writes:

The owners need to weigh the
amount of business they get from 9 or 10 am (whenever they open) to
noon or 1 compared to the after 5 group.

And by dollar-value, not by number of people.

When I was on the library board, one of the chief complaints was from retirees
who wanted the library open practically at dawn, so they could go and sit there
all day (i.e., not turn on their own heat or A/C). If you have four little old
ladies who come in every morning to sit and yak for hours, and average
purchasing one skein each per week, that's $2. If you have one working woman
who comes in at 6:30 PM and spends $200, then even though she's only one
customer, she's worth a hundred times those four "customers" who prefer the
store open at 9 AM primarily for socializing.

I have found that stores where I have name recognition, if I call just before
leaving work and tell them I'm catching the next bus which (theoretically) puts
me in front of their shop at 10 minutes to closing, they'll usually make sure
to stay open till I get there even if the bus is late, because they know I'm
going to drop big bucks and make it worth their while to stay there.

Yes, the owners will argue that it's not worth being open late on the
off-chance someone will come in. I could say that about being open 9-5, too.
There were many times I worked in an office and the phone didn't ring for
several hours.




--
Finished 12/14/03 -- Mermaid (Dimensions)
WIP: Angel of Autumn, Calif Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe, Guide the Hands (2d
one)

Paralegal - Writer - Editor - Researcher
http://hometown.aol.com/kmc528/KMC.html

Karen C - California wrote:
If you have four little old
ladies who come in every morning to sit and yak for hours, and average
purchasing one skein each per week, that's $2.

Hey! Watch who you're talking about!! huge grin

On the other side of the coin: let's not forget those of us who are up
and raring to go early in the morning. I hate it that our library is
never open early. Surely - just as some of you are complaining about
wanting late hours - we can also accomodate those who want early ones.

Not EVERY person in the U.S. works from 8-6. I'd like to be able to get
in by 9 am.

When I had a full load of students to teach, my hours were 2:30 to 9pm.

Also, some little old ladies have money to spend.

I know you're being "general". Just couldn't resist. g

Dianne

Yes, the owners will argue that it's not worth being open late on the
off-chance someone will come in. I could say that about being open 9-5, too.

There were many times I worked in an office and the phone didn't ring for
several hours.

Yes, and it needs to be consistent, too. There are several stores that will
stay open an hour or two longer one night a week- but when I need something
right then, do you think I can remember if they stay open until 7:00 on Tuesday
or Thursday- heck no! The hours need to be pretty much the same- maybe adding a
few more hours on Saturdays.
Another thing is all of the needlework (this includes embroidery, quilt, or
yarn stores) that only have classes during the day on weekdays- don't they want
anyone to come?!!!! I drive over an hour to a store that offers classes in the
evening and on the weekends, because the store that is only 5 minutes from me
has them only on week days. And, while I'm there for classes, I buy all the
things I see that I "just can't live without." The local store probably has the
same items, but I buy 'em where I see 'em!
SueS

On 1/2/04 5:39 PM,"Dianne Lewandowski" posted:

Ellice wrote:
I don't think the Needlework Industry on the whole is declining that much -
it is the LNS that are hurting. The proliferation of web-shopping has done
that. Many shops are surviving by doing e-business, or something else My dream is for shops to be more like the one in Monica Ferris' Betsy
Devonshire mystery books.
I wonder if someone could pull this off - a cooperative set of shops set in
a "court yard" plaza/mall. A yarn shop, a needlework shop (with broad range
of areas), a quilters shop, a finisher/framer, a tea/coffee shop, maybe even
a bookshop all opening in to a courtyard area (not necessarily open to the
air) with comfortable seating. And don't forget a nice bathroom; Now - the most important part - a willingness to say "go ask X in shop Y

It wouldn't be it a great place to shop. Just imagine.....

Cheryl

I would love to have something like this! The only needlework shop
near my house - which had a staff that really wasn't helpful nor into
stitching; its focus was on knitting - closed in November. And when
they were open I was forced to order patterns, fibers and materials
from brick and morter shops that had websites, shops like Elegant
Stitch and Thistle Needleworks. Thistle Needleworks is now the
closest shop to me at ~1 hour away. If I decide on the spur of the
moment that I want something, I'm not going to hop in the car and
drive 60 minutes to get several skeins of a specialty fiber. Judy at
Thistle Needlworks and Lois at Elegant Stitch are wonderful if I
e-mail them that I need something. But I would love to have something
closer where I could fondle and ooh and aah to my hear's content!!

Lisa

In article , Dianne Lewandowski
writes:

I know you're being "general". Just couldn't resist. g

Razzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I know you're being picky. I just couldn't resist, either! VBG


--
Finished 12/14/03 -- Mermaid (Dimensions)
WIP: Angel of Autumn, Calif Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe, Guide the Hands (2d
one)

Paralegal - Writer - Editor - Researcher
http://hometown.aol.com/kmc528/KMC.html

Another thing is all of the needlework (this includes embroidery, quilt, or
yarn stores) that only have classes during the day on weekdays- don't they
want
anyone to come?!!!!

We all have different needs. Back when I had young children at home, I liked
shops, classes and the public library to be open at night, so daddy could
babysit while I went out "all by myself, like a big girl". Now they are grown
and gone, I prefer to keep my evenings and weekends for him, but, alas, most
classes and clubs around here meet in the evening. Except, that is, for the
local Needlework Guild, which meets every Monday morning. I don't get there
nearly as often as I would like, because there are many Monday mornings when I
look around me at the post-weekend mess and think "No way can I go out and
leave this squalor."
However, that will all change very soon, as he is going to retire in four weeks
time, so I will have no compunction about arranging my schedule to suit myself,
after all these years of working around everyone else.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

most
classes and clubs around here meet in the evening.
Our local guild has both morning and evening meetings as well as an evening
sitch in at a local restaurant. I really enjoyed the flexibility when I was a
member and as soon as I can afford it again I will rejoin.
kathy
san antonio