GREAT THREAD, DALE!!
Rig nailed it on the owner/staff acting like they were doing you a favor by having the lights on... and the followup with the students and the formation and sponsership of a Club is how this guy started and more importantly stuck with the sport. Indeed after the shop closed after 25 years, most of my best and longest held friendships are with members. We've been welcoming the New year with a night dive at the Breakwater forever and I'm there regardless of the weather with all of 'em!
One of us even went and bought a sliding shop, Stan's, followed what we knew and used his smarts and is continuing the traditions. His reward is that we all book trips through the shop, because we get together and decide where we want to go, we know eachother's strengths and agendas and it's a no brainer after that. I could go to the Reef, (not!), or Joe's place, but I go clear to San Jose or have one of the crew pick it up for me. Go figure.
An indoor pool and classroom(s) is mandatory. Give swimming lessons and pool birthday parties for the days...works to keep the lights on at Anderson's in Pacifica.
Stock the good stuff. Don't fill the shelves with neon, twin blade, mirrored crap. Yeah it costs but you don't wanna know how fast I walk if I get the, "uh, well...we can get it..." Fine, get it and call me. I could care less that you have 3 mil shorties if we're in No Cal. If you can get me one next week for the trip in two months, sold. Period.
Videos running on a couple of screens, some raggae in the background, a no bullsh#t service guy with the parts and the cleaning tank and tools, a real compressor with a real water bath and a "you buy it, the VIP's are free" motto. That's the only thing I need for free, but you'd get HUGE style points for an occasional hat, T-shirt or sweatshirt with your shop logo on it. And stickers so we can put them on the walls of places we visit, take a Polaroid and put on the shop wall.
We need to get together and go over this, Dale. I'm in.
sven