Scuba Diving is a lifestyle. All divers I’ve met have been very friendly and social.
Golfers have Country Clubs.
Bikers have Harley shops (that regularly hold cookouts), and biker bars.
Scuba Divers need a place all their own!
Dive shops should consider altering their business model to include a club style atmosphere. I would be willing to pay $200 a month if the shop offered the things I mentioned above. It would give me a place to hang out with friends. I would bring my kids there to swim or to practice diving more. As an independent instructor, I would hold classes there and encourage my students to buy gear there. I work from home, so instead of going to the local coffee shop to work for a day during the week to change up my scenery, I would go to the local dive shop/club (as long as they provided free WiFi and coffee).