There is a reason alot of mom n' pop music shops still make it despite the music malls like sam ash,guitar center e.c.t.

Sam Ash won't give you the time of day compared to the smaller shops customer service.Ask for a set up(cleaning,restringing,intonation,truss rod adjustment)at a big store and see what happens.Plus the overall selection of small stores may be smaller(obviously),but the products more often then not are of higher calibur.Less pressure and return hassles if they occur.

yeah,a music shop would be sweet.The initial overhead and property acquisition might suck,but if the sevice is right and good brands are on the floor then you would have a neat little business.