Matt, yeah it is sad for sure. I just noticed the RS closest to me has closed as well. At one time there were electronics component stores around here where you could get almost anything. I think TV and stereo repair shops kept them in business.
Now most don't take a 5 year old TV in for repair. They junk it and buy another one. The failure rate of electronics seems to be less overall. so if you get 5-10 years out of something, the new tech entices you to buy the latest.
Maybe a few here remember the old IC transistor cross over books. You could take the info off of an IC and find a match. The local supplier usually had it in stock. I guess those days are long gone.
Still lots of stuff on ebay that says "needs work". I have picked up a few real bargains like that and fixed a simple problem the original owner didn't want to bother with.