[davet753]

A good deal of the decline in amateur radio store closings has more to do with the overall decline in brick-and-mortar stores these days. Television dealerships were once common in every small town in America yet today they are a rare sight. Everybody owns a TV set, but they tend to be bought online or from a big-box store. The sales are still happening, but through a different channel.

In amateur radio, online buying has surpassed the brick and mortar stores, especially when it comes to accessories and supplies. In my case, I purchase transceivers from HRO, but when it comes to coax, accessories, and the like, I usually end up buying online.

Plus, many folks order online even from stores like HRO. I buy often from HRO in Atlanta, but I call them on the phone and have them ship it to my home. If they don't have what I want in Atlanta, they just ship it from another location. If they closed the Atlanta store, they'd still get my business at one of their other locations.