When I first got back into the hobby some 25 or so years ago, there weren't many shops in my area, so trips to New England were often made around being able to visit shops there. I used to bring along copies of the latest MR and check out the shops listed in the back "dealer listing".
For the most part I was disappointed in the shops that I did find, they never lived up to their ads "complete scratchbuilding supplies" , but usually consisted of some packages of stripwood and other odds and ends. When I asked about particular items I usually got the reply "we can order it for you". Heck with that, I could order if for myself.
Also visiting the shops and seeing some of the new releases I was disappointed too, as they were mostly at list prices and a whole lot more expensive than I could get through mail order at the time. Some of the prices were equal to what I could get the items for here in Canada, even with our normally higher prices.
These experiences soured me on finding gems and general goodies, but I still visited mostly out of curiosity. I did find one great shop, operated out of a garage in the basement of a fellows' home in eastern MA. Bay State Hobbies was plugged with all sorts of things that interested me, and I left some serious coin there. It was the kind of shop that I assumed all of the others would be. They are few and far between, and it's even worse these days. But I still keep looking!
