I am more than twice your age , so I have seen a lot of small plant retailers go out of business since the plant boom in the 1960's. The primary reason for this is the emergence of Big Box stores that sell at discount at prices that small retailers cannot match. But many small retailers shot themselves in the foot by not providing thorough and professional plant care information. Many folks bought plants (and still do), received poor advice and then blamed themselves when the plant died. They concluded they have black thumbs and never bought plants again. Ultimately, that hurt the small local retailers.
All very sad.
