The main problem is that, if the staff know about how to design circuits, why are they working at an electronics store?
Commission? Or maybe it's just a hobby?
I can't imagine there's much commission to be made selling a Raspberry Pi :)
There are lots and lots of knowledgeable people who are also very, very bad at the self-promotion that's necessary to get high-paying jobs in "industry".
Unfortunately that's the only component shop in town. IIRC I couldn't even find one in SF to my amazement.
Kudos to Al Lasher's though, there's few places like that still around.
I'm @ Notre Dame. I have to use Amazon and eBay. :)