Mom & Pop stores get most of my hard earned $.
I use a BassPro (Cabelas & LL Bean as well at times) credit card - I get reward dollars (something for my troubles when I have to buy things for home renovations....lol). I save those up and pick up some gear that way. I use their websites for information: weights & line capacity for example or weight range of lures on a rod if I want to compare something. Late at nite when I can't sleep I poke around online and sometimes find some greats buys (you gotta know your retail prices for sure!).
#^&#^&#^&#^&'s SG does have a decent sized putting area my daughter and I will play at for a good 15 mins before it gets so crowded we have to leave (other parents come over and kids play and then it gets hard to putt....lol).
Now a days I don't have the time to go hang out at the small local stores. One I like the most, is at least 72 miles of so south of me. When I go in I make up for not being there for so long w/ purchases .... lol. mikecc does mail order, but he doesn't ship blanks any more and can list some reels online since he sells out so quick at the shop he can't keep them in stock.
I do mail order - price of gas isn't cheap now a days.
I prefer to mail order from mom & pop store (M&D's/CCT).
Those "chain" stores don't carry fresh bait if ya need it either. :P