Use 'em or loose 'em

I had a rude shock last week when I went to get film developed for the first time in about a year.  My old photo lab was gone...defunct...out of business.  With a little asking around, I found a new lab...Cox B&W...the last B&W photo lab in the greater Sacramento area!  Looks like this is going to be a great lab for me, but it is scary that there is only one left.

The very next day I got an email from Camera Arts (the same folks that referred me to Cox B&W)...they are going out of business.  They were the last camera store in Sacramento catering to photographers still using film and to those using large and medium format cameras, as well as developing supplies, etc.

These two events were a strong reminder to me that these local businesses are a valuable resource for information, supplies and community, and that if we do not support them, they will not be here when we need them.