I would prefer brick-and-mortar, but nothing reasonably close to me...
One thing to remember: Almost all of the online shave shops - not Amazon, but WCS, Maggard's, IB, Stirling, et.al. - are small, mom-and-pop/family businesses. They may not be local, but they deserve your support as they cater to our needs and wants. You can shop online and still support small business.
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you sound close to me, if you don't mind asking what area are these stores located?I've bought plenty on-line, but I much prefer B&M, especially for software. Its like a treasure hunt, and I've come up with some gems. Here is Washington DC, we have The Grooming Lounge, which is kind of a local version of AOS (we have that too) with a faux old-timey décor that serves the yuppy set. They carry Merkur razors, Proraso, some 3-T Brit stuff, and a lot of designer-label products that I'm not hip enough to use. All overpriced, of course, but I suspect you're paying for the atmosphere when shopping there. Better yet, I've discovered some real hidden treasures - a Mom 'n Pop variety store that carries Omega brushes and soap; an Italian grocery store that carries Proraso creams and balms; several Mexican grocery stores that carry Superior 70, Florida Water, and several different Hispanic colognes; an ethnic beauty shop that carries Pinaud aftershaves, EdC's, and hair tonics, as well as a nice selection of Dax and Murray's pomades; a 100 year old pharmacy downtown that stocks Casswell-Masey products, several Pinaud aftershaves, and some high end stuff like St. John's Bay Rum and Kent combs and brushes. Still on the hunt for more. I found an international food store that stocks Brazilian shaving cream, but they were out of stock when I visited. Anyway, its fun looking around.
This is a great resource. Lots of ethnic grocery stores carry grooming products from back home.Better yet, I've discovered some real hidden treasures - a Mom 'n Pop variety store that carries Omega brushes and soap; an Italian grocery store that carries Proraso creams and balms; several Mexican grocery stores that carry Superior 70, Florida Water, and several different Hispanic colognes; an ethnic beauty shop that carries Pinaud aftershaves, EdC's, and hair tonics, as well as a nice selection of Dax and Murray's pomades; a 100 year old pharmacy downtown that stocks Casswell-Masey products, several Pinaud aftershaves, and some high end stuff like St. John's Bay Rum and Kent combs and brushes. Still on the hunt for more. I found an international food store that stocks Brazilian shaving cream, but they were out of stock when I visited. Anyway, its fun looking around.