One big problem is that the larger-chain stores started adding items to inventory that were once exclusively carried by this chain. I still remember the first year I met my wife, in 1999, her telling me she made the world's greatest tamales, but we couldn't find any Masa flour or tamale wraps at our local Safeway. Then I remembered the store at the corner of the railroad tracks and told her, I bet THEY have what you need. Of course they did...but now, you can get the same flour and wraps pretty much anywhere. It may not be as good quality, but people usually sacrifice quality for convenience.

And incidentally, this was also a lovely year when no store opened before 7am on Thanksgiving Friday, and getting in line a mere hour or two early guaranteed you would get a piece of the big sale or hottest item.