First off much respect for what you are doing & trying to do
@John00 . If it goes through I will definitely buy through that spot on a regular basis. On to the questions....
1. With hyped releases I would up box price by $25.....but tell my customer base that the $25 would go into making the shop better (which I would actually do). Plus I would setup monthly parties (or a show from a prominent artist) w/a local spot where if you bought said shoe you get entrance to the party/show free w/a drink voucher. This way the people who cop on a regular basis will get to know each other and lookout for one another, and hopefully the good environment would get them and noobs who want in to come into the shop when there isn't anything hyped...which is what I would need to survive as a skateshop.
I would also do raffles on the Wednesday before each release, w/a 48 hours time limit to pick up your purchase. I don't think camping is good for the culture and if I had a shop it would be in inner-city Detroit....where camping wouldn't be good for your health lol.
Lastly I would have a frequent customer card, where if you buy 6 pairs of SB's (GR or QS) at full box price you automatically get first shot at a QS at a later date. Provided you cash in your card first, you get to buy the next pair you want w/o the raffle hassle. I'd call it the Sunday Cop....God worked hard for six days, and got to rest on the 7th.....you bought 6 pairs at full price, you get to rest on the 7th.
2. Detroit is an odd place for sneakers....everything sells (JB,KD's,Brons,etc...) but you almost never see them on feet. Just 1's & whatever Jordan is hot at the moment. So when I'm seen in SB's they think I'm wearing something fake or from Journey's....sometimes I want to let them know, but I'm not trying to lead the blind.....I just laugh and KIM. You'd be surprised how many people don't know Nike even has a Skateboarding division.
3. I'm not much of an artist, so I will refrain from answering this fully....but I'd like to see something less green-based. Maybe it's just me, but I don't wanna wear an all green shoe when it isn't St Paddy's Day....so something a little more grounded (but still creative) would be cool.