Hmmmm... I only know of 2 shops in Wilmington besides Fran's. Kevins by the dam /bridge in town and the Hungry Trout fly shop on Rte 86. Other than that you pretty much have to go to Lake Placid and Jones Outfitters ( whose owner recently passed away).. I have found all those shops to be very angler friendly, Fran's shop having been there by far the longest and is also by far the most visited.
If you go to the Ausable again email me and perhaps I can meet you guys up there and show you a couple of my favorite spots.....Bob