Before You Go Virtual

Pete's, for years a Walla Walla retailer where many bought their winter gear, went out of business a few weeks ago. Most merchants plan months ahead when it comes to stocking up for holiday and winter sales. Owner Hal White said he simply couldn't hang on until there was certainty about the future of Ski Bluewood, which is scheduled to open this week.

But there was another reason he couldn't hang on. Aside from the sluggish recovery, he said Main Street retailers like him are a dying breed, circumvented by manufacturers' direct or indirect online sales, which require shipping but no big overhe...