Growing up in my home town 55 years ago, the local hobby shop was in the basement of a hardware store. In the back door, past the lawn mower display and a hard right down the stairwell. It's where I got my start. But alas that store is no longer there. We have a Hobby Lobby now that has some really good plywood selections along with balsa but that's about it. Nearest traditional "hobby shop" is some 12 miles away in the next town. But he carries nothing RC. About 50% railroad, lots of collectibles and plastics. Up side they have the paints normally associated with the railroads. Good deal there. Closest RC hobby shop is 35 miles. Two actually but in opposite directions. With the after effects of my cancer treatments 35 miles is a difficult trip to make.
I'll buy local when I can but all too often I find I must go mail order.