Even the online stores are fading away, many that I used to buy from 20-25 years ago are gone, bought up by somebody else, Nasbar is an example, bought things occasionally from them, but haven't since they changed hands and prices and policy changed. Locally there has been a big turnover, the shop my parents bought my first bike and then another when I was 13 eventually expanded from one store to about a half dozen, now they are gone. A shop I really liked back in the 80's had aisles of parts you could browse, ... although still around in name, last time I was there the shop was dominated by their coffee and donuts and a patio to sit and enjoy it WTF, sit? at a bike shop?

For the past decade or so I've gone to the places that are do-it-yourself shops, but they seem to come and go too. Thankfully there is one left in town where I was able to locate a part for my SRAM shifter that is no longer available. It reminds me of the old shop mentioned above, aisles and boxes of parts you can look through to find what you need, or ask a worker if available.

IMO, although a lot of cool stuff nowadays, the golden age was the 80's. In fact I still have my 6 speed Shimano 600 steel Trek, my favorite ride, all original except normal wear parts. Why change a good thing?