I seldom visit big box stores in my area due to the distance involved in getting to them, plus I dislike the way some of our local big box stores are maintained and managed. The local merchants are much closer to my home anyway, and I know the owners on a first name basis since I know many of them by growing up with them . The purchase price might be higher buying from a local merchant, but more of my dollars will stay here locally and benefiting the local economy.