hey y'all, besides asking your opinions on my quite-possibly-hideous-taste-in-shoes, i have another favor to ask. i'm writing an article for you-know-who on the decline of the indie store - you know, big chains taking over and fun, quirky, small stores closing, etc. why it's happening, where it's happening, will independent stores cease to exist at all one day, etc etc. so i'm asking you for any thoughts, fresh angles, or sources who might be willing to be interviewed (store owners and employees, patrons, um, indie store pontificators and experts?). if you've got some tips, shoot me an email, or leave a comment.