I just received an email yesterday from one of my LQS in Bath, Maine where she is closing her shop this Fall after 13 years and will be only selling online. I am happy for her that she wants to spend more time with her family and wish her all the best in her online business... but most of us love the experience of shopping where you can touch and see the fabrics in person and if you need a gadget or tool or thread of a certain color... many of us would drive 20 minutes to pick it up rather than wait 3 days to receive it in the mail. (sigh)
I also have rented their APQS long arm machine for my larger quilts over the past couple of years so now I will have to think more seriously about purchasing my own. I will miss their friendly faces and helpfulness but can understand what a difficult decision it was for the shop owner.