After seeing literally a dozen local hobby shops come and go over the past twenty-five years, we had a new shop open last fall and it was just announced that Hobby Lobby is planning to open two stores in the area by the end of the year.
Not sure that it is the sign of anything significant, but interesting nevertheless.
Can't remember the last time I actually bought a kit in a LHS instead of online.
Through it all our one train shop has survived and been the primary local source for paint, glue, and other supplies.
Will be interesting to watch.
Mark