Quote Originally Posted by payless
But the main thing is i would realy like to mainatin the ability for shop to be browsed
For this option to down for maintenance
admin > config > my store > Store Status > select 1 or 2 depending upon how you wish them to be able to browse

I would also suggest that you maintain an optional define_main_page.php that you use when you are down for maintenance that notifies a shoper that they can browse but that you are doing maintenance.
This will be a manual operation but most likely a necessary one