Retail space has to be partly fungible? They sell off some percentage of their stores so they can build out a few larger spaces in malls or strip malls. Make the new spaces big, Apple-grey-and-white, well-lit areas with 3D-printers and soldering guns.....
There are leases and investors have already nixed a plan for RS to do a massive dump of retail locations.
The DIY/Maker ideas are certainly interesting to me; I'd probably frequent such a store. Though I doubt the business model as a retail operation at scale. But converting Radio Shack to this? Existing store design/location would often not be suitable. Many employees wouldn't be suitable. The company is in financial trouble. If it's a viable business plan, why bring in the legacy that is Radio Shack?