Quote Originally Posted by Doppelgänger View Post
I could see a solid storefront being a good bet. Physical presence with parts and service will go better than just trying to resurrect the name. Hold meets there to show off their product and prove their seriousness. To me, the name itself has a stigma that will be REALLY difficult to shake.
The scene is not dead by any means though. Look at some of the shops out there like Forged and TopSpeed....who seem to be doing quite sell. There is a forumla to succeed here...
The only thing I have to add here is that you really can't compare two entities like NOPI and TS/Forged. One is a shop selling a broad assortment of parts for a broad assortment of interests while the others are specific shops catering to a more higher dollar niche...racing/performance. The scene itself, like you said, seems to be in a lull or rut. I don't see it being alive because of Topspeed or Forged. If these guys were keeping it alive, you'd see more threads on here documenting a member's experience and car. Bringing up UAB reinforces this thought as you remember, Mike, they did damn near 1/4 to 1/2 of IA member's cars back in their heyday. But again, you're trying to compare an auto accessory store with a high performance shop.