Mom and pop stores are dying.

the Lowell Sun ought to put this prism (EVIL BIG BOX STORES ARE KILLING THE BIZ) on virtually every other retail sector.

This is not news, it is not a unique situation, and it's not even that sad. I'm sad for my friends who have seen their indie record stores go the way of the buggy whip, but the biggest reason for their demise has been a) their business practices and b) an obvious, enormous shift in the market that they cater to. Those that haven't made a concerted effort to go virtual aren't going to be in the game five years from now.