I think the most recent owners gave it a fair shot. The corporation that was running it before them were the real culprits in the downfall IMO. The original folks ran it until about 10(?) years ago and it was sold to a conglomerate. They put the store on autopilot and didn't put any thought thought or heart into it until it had dwindled to a mere shadow of its former self. Selection dropped, prices rose, staff changed, and go figure, business dropped off. They ran patternworks (yarn/knitting sister store) into the ground too.
The most recent owners put a lot of effort into revitalizing the store. They restocked, got knowledgeable staff back, got good supplies in, and dropped prices. They also added in-store events to draw in more customers, and make it more than just a place to buy stuff. They also opened their pre-cut 'pineapple' brand store in the former patternworks space (which seems like a lot of work if they intended to shut it all down...)
Unfortunately, although the store had really improved, I think it was a case of too little too late. The keepsake mailorder business is going to continue I think, but (as mentioned) based out of the current owners' NC operations. Given their options of shutting the whole brand down or salvaging some of their investment by maintaining the catalog business...can't say I blame them.
We've been going there for nearly 30 years, yes it was sad to see them close.
The small quilt shop near Weirs closed last year, now keepsake, there's no quilt/fabric shops left in the lakes region now afaik. The conway sew+vac was for sale a few years ago, I don't know if that's still operating. (And no, the box stores like walmart/hobby lobby/jo-anne don't count as fabric stores)
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