There are more factors to the end of K+K than just 'another hobby shop closing'. Frankly, the store was dying already. It was heavily train based, and train sales have been in serious decline for years. Quite pointedly, many of the good customers have simply died, and there isn't, and won't be anyone to replace them. Gun sales kept the doors open for a while, until the owner got tired of the hassles and regulations of that.
I think Dan made a very wise decision to not get involved with the running the store himself. That should tell you something about the state of affairs, when an insider does not want to take it on as an investment.
Also, I feel the store had degenerated to a 'hangout' for keeping people company. That is inevitable in this kind of business to an extent, but it infected K+K to an unhealthy degree. You had people that came in daily - and basically never bought anything. Just to clog up the counter space, and spout off their political views.
The OP mentioned he finally picked up a kit he had on 'layaway' for 6 months when the store finally closed for good! How did that help the store any? Situations like that are what help nail the door shut. How many times in those 6 months did he show up there, just to hang out, and never buy anything, while the item was sitting out back?
I fully understand the decision NOT to have a going out of business sale. The vultures would circle and pick off the good stuff, leaving 2/3 of the store that would be basically the unsalable leftovers. I am sure the owner wanted it to be over, not a continuing hassle to get rid of everything. Thus, the liquidator.
Frankly, I am surprised they lasted as long as they did, given the awful economy of upstate NY, Manufacturing leaving and the closing of Griffiss AFB were blows never recovered from here. Now the area is a vast wasteland of dollar stores and chain restaurants. Not surprising no one has money to spend on a very upscale hobby here.
Some will take this as being too harsh, but I think sometimes hobbyists are too busy lamenting closings to ask a very basic question - what role did I play in it happening? If you're a serious hobbyist, and weren't supporting the store, and just using it as hangout and storage place for kits you were going to buy 'someday', then you did play a role,however small.
None of this reflects on Daniel. He was always a gentleman, sometimes maybe even just a bit too nice. I hope he finds other, better, work somewhere soon. There is a lawn calling out to him!