= new reply since forum marked as read
Hmmmmm.......
Most Americans don't have a handle on financial matters especially these types of corporate level maneuvers.
Problem is, the people who are being hurt the most are not likely to ever take the time to learn about them.
(e.g. the MAGA mouth breathers)
I'm bookmarking this and plan to go over each article on this list.
It's happening everywhere, and not just in Toy Stores.
How many small local toy stores did Toys R Us put out of business when they moved in? How many local retailers have been hurt by Walmarts coming in? It's the same thing. People will drive 10 miles to shop at Walmart rather than pay more at the small local store.
And even the big box stores are hurt by internet shopping. Look over the merchandise at a local store, decide what you want, and buy it for less online. We all do it, and it's hurting the retailers bigtime.
BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS - SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RETAILERS
I'm disappointed at how few Americans appreciate the massive loss of social value we had in small locally owned shops and stores. In my country home town in the 50s and 60s, our family-owned grocery stores, gas stations, dry goods, hardware, clothing and jewelry stores were the heart of our community, along with plenty of small churches, and of course our schools.
These things were the very fabric of our social lives and were the places where people established and strengthened life-long friendships, made swaps and trades, exchanged handshakes and hugs, discussed community and politics, as well as the exchange of ideas and opinions about products for sale.
For me, there's great value in seeing and touching products I'm interested in, along with being able to talk with a knowledgeable sales person - many of which had been in that particular area of retail for generations. That's all been taken away by big box stores and millions of on-line outlets. Nowadays, it's click on a photo of a product that's likely made in China by a no-name company and with no practical guarantees. No touch, feel, smell, evaluate texture and color, or try it out and see if it fits!
Was it worth loosing all that to save a buck? I think not. 
It affects the fabric of every small town, but it also has an effect on our middle class economy. It's no longer possible for individual small-business owners to open a local neighborhood store that provides services and employment for the neighborhood. If you're not part of a big franchise operation then your small store doesn't have access to the wholesale distributors and you can't compete with the "big box" stores or with the Amazon-type of webstores. You can't even complete with the second tier discount stores like Big Lots or Family Dollar.
It leaves the small local retailers with 2 options, either close their doors or buy in with a big franchise of some kind. Once you've done that you do have some protections but you're also toeing their line and they get most of the profits. The retailer is basically working for the franchiser even though they're taking all the risks. A lot of people decide that it's hardly worth it.
There really is no free enterprise any more in the US, considering how difficult and expensive it is to start a business here. Retail is especially risky and fraught with barriers, unlike the times while I was groing up in the 1950's and 60's.
I suspect we can thank big boxers like W-mart for that demise - rock-bottom pay to get rock-bottom prices. I'm darn lucky to even find one of their "associates", much less get any usable info out of them. Unfortunately, their competitors have had to do massive layoffs just to keep the doors open. Some call it a race to the bottom.
The exceptions here are the hardware and lumber big box stores, which seem to be trying to out-do each other for employee knowledge. Many of them are actually retired craftsmen such as electricians, carpenters and plumbers.
We're seeing far better success in small stores in strip malls here, as the malls are in decline. Much better for older folks, too.
Agree with you 100% on seeing/feeling certain products. Cannot understand anyone buying many clothing items on-line, and certainly not any scented products. The scented candle and soap stores do well here.
Thanks for that lovely story about your history. I participated with equal interest working in a radio/tv sales and repair shop, knew the owner and worked side-by-side with him. The nearby town square had plenty of clothing, furniture, shoe, and jewelry stores, along with one or two 5-and 10c stores (which we country kids thought were the largest stores on the planet, LOL).
IMO, one of the many causes of our demise as a society is the loss of small private companies and small corporations that were a big part of our communities. Those companies felt responsibility toward the towns and took part in community charity and sponsored civic activities. Therefore, employees felt connected and were a part of the company.
I'm glad you're seeing at least a tiny part of that return to your town. Just taking a quick look at Wegman's, it would appear they still take some interest in community. 
I would trade every on-line outlet on the planet for those local town squares and surrounding shops, and the community that went with it They, as a whole, were the heart and soul of America - along with civic centers, libraries, churches and schools.
We've become so "stuff" oriented, it now controls many of us. There's a hell of a difference between "I want" and "I need".
When I was young, being raised in a small country town, we had virtually everything we needed and only went to a larger town for the hospital or a few specialty products. And, a trip to the big city 40-miles away once or twice a year was a huge, huge deal - just to visit a big department store and see all the toys was like a dream. Going to see a movie once or twice a year was equally as huge.
Nowadays, there's almost nothing that will excite a child, as everything is at their fingertips 24/7. It's no wonder half the country is depressed or abusing drugs or alcohol.
Just my worn-out, tired, 70-Y.O. old-fashioned opinion, LOL.
