Mom and pop stores were mostly gone here long before Walmart showed up...so the reason isn't necessarily Walmart. Department stores killed them here, now most of them are gone....it's a dog eat dog world out there, if you can't compete your gone. Sorry mom and pop...

Sometimes it’s tough to buy local when things cost twice as much locally it just is. Ridiculous prices and attitudes are often the death of small businesses also. Local merchants live very well here they ain’t living in apartments with other folks they have the best houses in town often. Many businesses own several businesses so they are not that different just the same approach on a smaller scale. I shop local mostly but big projects I just can’t do it 10 overpriced items costing twice as much is crazy.

Yep, if it wasn't for walmart, dollar stores and Amazon, you'd be hard pressed to find a pair of pants, lol

Theres families here that shop other places because they can’t be competitive if the bought from their own family businesses.

Wal-Mart = China-Mart.

That’s everywhere now it’s tough buying US goods the prices on well made imported stuff is still high but often lack quality. I replaced a Moan kitchen faucet with a new Moan faucet I took out a 3 pound unit and put in one weighing half as much junk. Rubber boots are expensive now most are cheap junk.

Butt they sell KY at Walmart….

I think all this started with AMAZON , cheap prices at first with free shipping, now higher member price per year, and prices are twice as much.
Was easier to buy from them than buy at a local store.
Walmart followed the same plan.
CVS left my town last year, Family Dollar the same.
We have three Autoparts stores , all different!
I have a hard time understanding a small town with 3 Autoparts stores and 4 pizza shops , one laundry mat, 3 gas stations , one bar part time .
Post office can't deliver on time anymore.
Produce stands everywhere, yet they don't grow their produce.
Things are very different than they were just 10 years ago.
Never understood why a store or fast food business , would close, and the new owner tears down the old store, rebuilds a new store almost the same .Tax breaks?