An excellent LHS: what does it take?

To be truly excellent, a LHS owner / staff has to put up with more BS than Hercules at the Aegean stables, the patience of 2 Jobs, the money of a Rockefeller, and a love of all sorts arcane strange knowledge.  They have to know electronics, mechanics, woodworking, tool making, the boiling point of various chemicals, how styrene is made...  Oh, yeah,  it helps if you own the building your shop is in, and you can charge rent to other tenants.

We have a really good LHS here in Medford, combined with a bike shop.  I'm surprised they're still in business, but they do a good job of having a decent selection of plastic, RC air & car, trains & misc tools, w/out too much inventory.  They tend to be willing to bend a bit on price if you're willing to give them business instead of shopping the cheapest ON-Line store you can find.

I feel for owners of LHS's.  There are too many people out there where price matters more than service and will come into a shop, ask all sorts of questions, maybe take a look at some gear, and then tell the guy, he's too expensive and it can be found on-line cheaper.

I know my local guy is not going to have everything I want, but I'll sure give him 1st crack at getting it for me.

I do not know, but I will give you a little idea of what I think it used to take, and make your own parallels:

An omnipresent owner. Not always there, but at least during that same day so that the people behind the counter could say "Bill was here this morning and he brought in some kits".

Good people skills from behind the counter. People with the patience of Job. Able to withstand a half hour questioning session about anything. Mom wants to buy her 8 year old a car model. Rivet counter wants to know if the latest Kato SD-40FP has the upward or downward louvers on the dynamic brake cover. All the same.

Sales. All the time, all subjects. Railroad on even months, paints on ones that end in "H", slot cars on ones that end in "30".

Activities. The R/C car set does well with the little cone set ups out back, but a club to build a layout is a good thing. And.... I spent a lot of time in slot cars. Between the age of 10 and 15. I loved it because the LHS had an 8 lane track. You brought your cars in a shoe box and got a place in line. There was a bench to change your brushes. And you'd get handed the controller for a race and be standing next to a fifty year old guy.

Oh, and one more thing. I notice this a lot and I'm not sure if it's the pay scale. No tv on. No radio. The staff has to engage. I really don't at all enjoy chucking up the Schekels while the clerk has one eye on CNN. I know the pace in an LHS is low, but don't bore the customer.

First and foremost are the folks running the place. When the are knowledgeable, friendly,and full of helpful advice, and get to know their regular customers, they will make customers want to come back. Next have a great kit selection-not only the new top of the line stuff, but also older affordable stuff and in a variety of subjects. Make it so dad can bring in the kid who likes dinosaurs or Gundams along to the shop and walk out with something for them too. Have a good selection of reference materials, accessories, aftermarket, and supplies. And keep the prices competitive with the online stores. Run sales on various items to keep that stock moving so inventory does not stagnate. Get to know your local IPMS chapter or other model club. If none is around, sponsor one or some hobby activity gatherings. And have a consignment area for regulars to thin out the stash. Those are hallmarks of the favorite shops that I frequent.