TheMadModeller
I think the future of so-called brick and mortar shops is to have a "front room" which deals in hobby supplies, kits, etc. - while running a "back room" online shop. The last remaining hobby shop in my area has always been willing to order kits from their suppliers even from brands they don't typically stock, this needs to be a standard feature of such brick and mortar shops. There was an old, off the beaten path hobby shop in my area too though up until the '00s, Bader's Bike & Hobby. I learned of such brands as Airfix, Heller, FROG, Kopro/KP, ZTS Plastyk, etc. from browsing Mr. Bader's dusty old stacks of kits. I even saw the first vacuform kit I'd ever seen there. Once he passed though, his wife sold the shop off to a trio of guys (Mid-20s/Early 30s) who envisioned turning it into a wargamer's paradise. They didn't get far, failed to restock supplies/cater to existing customers and spent more time playing their wargames than assisting or engaging with customers. Sad how they drove that treasure trove into the ground.

Robert W Martel
Yea it's a shame that the Mom & Pop stores are all but gone, at least here. We used to have a real nice one called Pardinis Toy Box. He had all kinds of toys, tons of models & RC stuff. There was also Standard Hobbies, a little hole in the wall store that had just basically models & RC, it was a good store. That was back in the late 80s, early 90s. Then along came Toys R Us and put them all out of business. They keep building newer bigger stores here in town, so business must be good. I've been in there a few times and their prices are through the roof! They only had 2 model kits on the shelf, and the clerk said they don't sell many. WallMart used to have them in the toy section, but last few times I looked there were none, they have them online though.
Lucky for me Hobby Lobby came along 6 or 7 years ago, but I never went in there until a few years ago. I've bought a lot of kits there the past 3 years. At 40% off you cant beat the price anywhere.
Otherwise it's EVILBAY! I'm gonna have to check out the ones Edward suggested, might find a better source. I hate ebay!! With a passion!!