I agree with the idea already expressed here that the local businesses that provide good customer service will continue to get my money. DH and I have seen cutbacks where we each work and in our community; things are getting tight all over.
Most Saturdays, we 'make the rounds' - we stop at 2 of the three Viking dealers here, a LQS and a fabric/craft store. A class here, a couple of yards of fabric there - it may be all I can do, but I'll continue to do it as always because they are always friendly and helpful. We usually spend more time visiting and teasing than actual shopping :lol:
I still buy online; the money I can save is money I can spend here locally, and it allows me to get things I couldn't get here anyway (who could resist QIAD DVD's at 40% off, I mean really?!) I think it all balances out in the long run - and things will shake out and settle down eventually.