This is a very interesting topic. As a kid, my sporting goods store of choice (hunting and fishing) was less square footage than my living room and dining room of today. I was known by name and always welcome to come in and sit on the bench for nothing more than conversation. Unfortunately for that business, a larger retail hardware store went into sporting goods and they could not compete. The big box stores put the hardware store out of business and now the internet is putting the big box stores out of business.
Circuit City? Best buy downsizing along with J.C. Penny, Macys and others. I live in a small town (less than 2000 people) and rely on the internet for most of my purchases. Unfortunately times change and what we the consumer has lost is customer service. In that old sporting goods store that closed in the 70's, I was taught how to make my own fishing lewers and fishing poles. Now if I have a question, I rely on forums like this one. Now if I go into a big box store to make a purchase, seldom do I find someone working in the store that knows the product as well as I do, due to my research on the internet.
I hope your small business thrives, an owner operators enthusiasm cannot be found shopping either on the internet or at a big box store.