I agree, it is important to support local stores. But here in the UK it is worrying that we have had many well established, large, chain, national stores go bankrupt, so if they cannot cope at the moment I fear for the independant places.
I am cutting back on EVERYTHING, but if I do have to buy some fabric I will go to the one and only quilting store near me, rather that the chain craft shop. The chain store is a bit cheaper, but has less choice and is not as friendly!