I am certainly sympathetic with what you are saying, but the fact is that times have changed. I have seen countless other small, family businesses go out of business because they have not changed with the times.
As I mentioned, the reality is, while the parkinglots at Home Depot and Lowe's were full this afternoon, the local stores were closed. As for Aubuchon, I like that store and do buy stuff there (and the service IS great) but their inventory is very limited and pricey.
People can keep making the same arguments about the local merchant, but if they can't even manage to stay open when most of the working public shops, they are doomed. Sorry.
