I'd mostly stopped going to music stores until I moved to Berlin. JustMusic turned out to be a great place to wander... no pressure from salespeople, unlike what I was used to in the States or the UK. The keyboard department was impressive so I was able to check out all sorts of new gear. The store was only a ten minute train ride from my flat, and if I wanted I could stop at Schneidersladen on the way home for my weirdo synth fix. The latter helped get me over a feeling of modular intimidation... I could stop in, mess with a Doepfer modular, make a sound or two that amused me, then head home. Neither any pressure to buy something nor pressure to Become A Modular Man.
I've moved back to California and my "local" music store is small, owned by a guy who remembers me from my teenage days. It's lovely to pop in and say hi, but there aren't any synths, so if I buy anything it's guitar strings or a cheap tambourine.