For the most part, the small shops were hurt by their indifference to good customer relations. I've moved across a good part of the Mid-Atlantic states. As soon as the last packing carton was removed, I started shopping for a shop to do business with. Reasons to not return: 1. A shop where the clerk and her chum gossiped, while I waited to have fabric cut and check out was not revisited. 2. A shop where no work was being done.My average purchase was for 2 patterns, 3-5 yds of fabric and interfacing, and whatever caught my eye on the "wall". If a reader here is thinking of starting up a shop, or has one that isn't doing well, have someone who is not known to your staff, shop there and relate her experience. It is best done on a day when you are gone. Nehmah