RP:
I believe this thing is in flux right now
RP. A few weeks ago I would have 100% done what you are suggesting...and in fact we were searching for either a PO box or small office to set up a makeshift temp operation just to do that in our major city....but G has changed things.
I don't have a good read on the G maps algo...but I don't think anyone has. It seems to be shifting. I've gone over it w/ Bill Slawski earlier and Mike Blumenthal has been reviewing it closely for some time.
Its very powerful now though as the expanded maps presentation w/in G
serps takes up a lot of valuable
serps real estate on the first page and drives organic
serps down.
It would be positive to get a read and understanding on it from different people. I looked at your placement vis a vis a search query and I can see how it isn't working for you now for some terms.
Last week it killed us for a valuable phrase and variations on that phrase and this week the map isn't showing.
I gotta think this thing will settle down at some point...but right now that idea might not work.
On the other hand, I've seen that very idea posed by some smart people...so even if it doesn't work now...it might be a killer idea for the future if G maps' algo's settle into a format that the particular town address becomes vital.
(still looking for other experience on this from others......
)