Lucky you.
I used to have a couple of places. Melvin Electronics in Oak Forest next to the Oak Forest Bowl in a strip mall. I could get solder and components and even tubes there.
Then there was George Electronics in on 147th street, and they were a lot more densely packed.
They are both gone.
When I moved to Morris, I found Mainline Electronics in Joliet. They had components, scope lead kits, big electrolytic capacitors, and a really nice store, but you had to know what you wanted. You'd walk to the counter and they'd get it for you. Now that one is gone.
I have to go to DigiKey or Mouser now. No local places.
A-Gem is expensive... but worth it if you need the part... today.
I'll still use online sources if I have the time, as they're usually 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of A-Gem... but I do throw A-Gem some business from time to time ... just because. Gotta support these kinds of places when possible.
