Our LQS will be either sold or closed by next March. It is a great little store, the owner/operator is delightful and it is always a pleasure to stop and buy there. Unfortunately, at $25-$30 (Aus.) a metre (a little over a yard), I could not afford to shop there as often as I would like....(she doesn't overprice, it's a reality of being small...not much bargaining power with suppliers) and it appears I am not alone. Our cost of living here is quite high, and will be getting higher. Many people on even average wages are finding things tough. Those on a fixed or low income, even tougher.
Retail generally is taking a bit of a financial hit at the moment...despite Christmas being almost upon us, spending is not as high or as much as they would like it to be. If the big retailers are finding it a struggle....small business is copping it even harder.