The 2 closest hobby shops near me make most of thier money sell RC cars. They do sell airplane equipment, but it just doesn't have the broad public appeal that cars do.
As a result, the ariplane support is obviously not thier top priority. Therefor I often mail order my supplies. No one seems offended. They know they don't carry the odds and ends like they did in the past.
I think many LHS have adapted to the new markets, the park flyers, the cars and boats. The surface vehicles and park flyers tend to be more impulse buyers. Or gifts for adolescents. Thats where they make thier money. We, the airplane guys, are almost burdensome with such a multitute of obscure hardware and finishing products and details. And some of this stuff is requested so infrequently its really pointless to stock it anymore. So, mail order it is. The LHS owner know this and accept this. I can support them in some cases, with the very fundemental stuff they are likely to carry.
So, don't feel bad about it. Its just the way the business is nowadays.