1) I *am* the main guy, and I live in Vermont. I have no intentions of moving to Crapetticuit or Massivetwoshits. Nor do I wish to move to Choad Island or Spew York. Puddsylvania and Jew Jersey hold even less interest. Nude Hampster is cool, becuase they don't have sales tax, and Maine... it's like Canada... everyone knows it's there, but nobody really takes it seriously.
Anyway, there's too much of a hassle in starting a shop and if you're starting a shop to have a place to hang out with friends and give everyone deals through, it won't last for long.
Why don't you start a shop here in VT, hire me, and see how long it lasts as a friend hangout and deal provider. BTW- I charge $45/ hr for turning a wrench and $60/ hr for fabrication, and I expect my paychecks to reflect this.