I can only dream of the perfect model car shop. Too many people in this area complain about the same thing...none of them are really all that great, the fun isn't in the equation when going to visit.
Shelves stocked w/the latest kits. Stuff that sits too long...blow it out cheap!
Plenty of aftermarket rims/tires/decals. Fresh stock of Tamiya/Gunze/Testors/Alclad metalizers. Any tools/supplies that are staples of builders...in stock. People who know what they are selling running the show.
Resin trans-kits. Built-up display to highlight the products and the local talent. Sitting area w/magazines, car videos. Video game/arcade...perhaps a selection of car-related video games and their platforms. Perhaps have an area with six monitors/sets for networked games. Pay a small fee for time, sell snacks. The idea to make $$ is to get people in the door, and offer them the items they want for a fair price. Give 'em some kind of discount...even a small one makes you look like a hero.
Slot cars and accessories. A track area to race. A sitting area to "modelpalooza" and have club meetings. A workshop area run like a co-op; buy time on the machinery like lathe and mill or spray booth. Where the shop becomes more than a place to buy, it's a place to hang out. Have how-to seminars. Host a few contests. We've got a big gaming-oriented hobby shop nearby w/a lot of gaming and sci-fi stuff, not many cars because that's not their forte. Half of this huge shop is basically a group area w/rows of tables and chaisr for gaming/meetings/etc. I'd love to see the same for cars. They're open late, even on Sundays. The only place I know that sells Jolt! cola and all the other assorted energy drinks...these guys are serious about their games.
Yeah, it would be cool. It could work if someone had the means to get it set up/started and the enthusiasm to run it, a good business plan and backup plans.