RE: How friendly is your local shop??
My local shop is great. A man and his wife own it and work there and they both are avid hunters. They always say hello and treat me fair and right. The only thing I don't like is the owner has a VERY dry sense of humor. So when I cut up or play around with him I can't tell whether his takes it as a joke or serious. But I am always treated right no matter what.
The other shop that is north of town is crap. Those guys don't know much but they think they know it all (they sell guns and fishing tackle as well). Overpriced and rude, thats why they lost my business four years ago.