RE: New shop in town??
The reason wholesalers want to deal with 'established' shops is to get paid. The number of small, and especially "something out of the (my) basement", shops that go under each and every year is phenomenal.
Many think that it is a glorious business and that they can make a lot of money. The hours are long, respect and allegiance is lacking, and profits are little to none. When you run a small shop like you're intending, the majority of customers will expect you to work for nothing. You will get stuck with inventory that those 'customers' will order and then refuse to accept.
It's a hard business. If you run it with other than strong business tactics, you won't succeed. And remember, success is measured in dollars and not in popularity. If you think otherwise, your family may have to accept a much smaller 'standard of living'.
I could go on and on; but, I'll leave it open to comments from others who may know better.