I went to my local supplier yesterday. I needed CO2, base malt, flaked corn and some other things. I pull up and the store is dark, empty and permanently closed. I start to think about being able to get most everything I need online but CO2 might be different. There was a fire-extinguisher place near me that would fill my tanks so I drove over there .. permanently closed! I looked online to see if another place I used to go to was still open .. Brew & Grow. Permanently closed! I’m not sure if online suppliers are taking over or if homebrewing is at an all-time low. I found a place called Airgas that is close to my GF’s house and the guy there said they don’t “fill” anything .. they just have exchanges for 5, 10 and 20# tanks so I’m stopping there this afternoon. I may pick up an extra 5# tank to bring up to my lakehouse for the draft fridge I plan to bring up there.
I don’t know if it’s an all time low, but it seems to be much lower over the last 30 years.
I use Airgas. They are expensive but at least they find me aluminum replacements for my exchanged tanks every time I go.
Re: homebrewer lull or online winning. I think it is both. We have no LHBS and I don’t really mind. I like the larger selection and fresher ingredients from bigger online suppliers.
It’s a combination - homebrewing is down, but online sales are murdering retail in most segments.
There’s a reason that all the big retailers (Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Safeway, etc) have added services like “drive up and go” to bridge the gap between ease of ordering in your bathrobe and getting it right now.
For me to get to either of my local homebrew stores I have to drive 20-35 miles through LA traffic. The temptation is super strong, but I just batch everything up and get it in one go while I’m already there (for say, a club meeting).
Such a bummer about your shop closing! Yeah, I think it’s the combo of competition from online retailers and contraction of the hobby over the past 5 years.
I am so fortunate to be only a ~15 minute drive from my LHBS. I use them whenever feasible, and like Drew I “batch up” to minimize trips. I really, really want this shop to stay in business, because they have always come through with CO2 refills and bulk grains, which aren’t possible/affordable via online, and it is so valuable to be able to dash over for last-minute ingredient purchases (and they are also super nice folks who seem to engage positively with the homebrewing community and the broader local community). In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll sometimes order online if I have very specific needs (e.g., a particular hard-to-find malt or hop), but that’s probably <20% of my purchasing and not my first choice.
I feel you. Brew and Grow Roselle used to be my go-to shop.
My wife sorta kinda drives past another shop on her way home from work, so we’ve been patronizing them more lately, but as much as I like them, their CO2 prices are rather high. I’m a member of the B&G tank exchange program, so I’m still exchanging them at their Bolingbrook location, which is a bit of a haul. However, there are some breweries in that direction, so we make a fun trip of it.
I heard that What’s Brewing was closing, which is a shame. They seemed to be fairly active in promoting the hobby. I saw them at at least one area beer fest. I remember them serving a “Chicago-style hot dog” beer (I believe it was from a competition they’d hosted) and I couldn’t help but think of Drew when I tasted it. 
You make one Clam Chowdah beer and people… 
I’m used to hearing about Airgas at the industrial scale. I’m honestly surprised to hear they even play in the 5 to 20 pound market…
There’s no LHBS within an hour of me … and there hasn’t been been for quite a while. Online is killing off local specialty shops of all kinds — not just homebrewing.
I was very spoiled for years. There was a MoreBeer retail store 4 miles from me, so I could get everything fresh and with no shipping costs. I knew the employees and got great service. Then they closed that store, but they had a warehouse just across the bay and I knew I could order liquid yeast and have it arrive still cold. Then they moved that warehouse to Kansas and shipping of yeast is iffy in warm weather. There is a store about an hour’s drive from me that can also ship liquid yeast fast, but they don’t have as wide a selection of items as MoreBeer and their prices aren’t as good. On the plus side, they carry malt from a local maltster that MoreBeer doesn’t carry. My purchases are now split between those two, and it gets a bit complicated to figure out.
I consider myself fortunate. My LHBS of 20 years (about a 15 minute drive) was put up for sale at the end of last year. The owner had a very good run and was ready for retirement. He always had a good selection and decent prices, sometimes comparable to online. Given the state of homebrewing I feared no one would buy the store and he would have to liquidate. Lo and behold the business was purchased in a few months by two thirty somethings. They’re very ambitious and are looking to grow the business significantly. They’ve already made some positive changes. I will continue to be a loyal customer.
I went to Airgas today and exchanged two 5# tanks which were out of date which means they have to hydro test them and then I bought a third tank. $175. I will need to find a better option.
Airgas is expensive, but it’s better than nothing. It’s not likely that bigger tanks are available online due to shipping restrictions.
In Minnesota, we are lucky to have a local competitor to Airgas. Central McGowen has most gases cheaper. They don’t fill, they exchange (most gas supplies don’t fill on the spot anymore). They supplier a lot of breweries in the area, so they have beverage grade co2 in stock. It’s nearly double the price, but it’s intended for use in food and likely higher quality than what’s in a fire extinguisher. My understanding of it is that it’s slightly “purer” (lower oxygen and ammonia), but it also is traceable. Meaning they have a traceable lot number on the tank that is registered.
There is likely a competitor to Airgas in your area. I’ll bet they’re cheaper. As for homebrew supplies, you’re in the same boat as the rest of us.
I’m not sure where you’re located, but there is a B&G in Bolingbrook, IL right off I55 on Rt. 53 that’s still open.
I support this business since my Go-To HBSH cashed out just after COVID.
I’m in Arlington Heights. There is a welding place called EWS in Elk Grove, there is another Airgas location in Elk Grove too and then there is Perfect Brewing in Libertyville. All of these are a bit of a haul. I assumed that a full tank of CO2 could not be shipped. Is that still accurate? I would totally order them but then the question becomes how do I return the empties? Also, In the past I have accidentally lost an entire tank of CO2 because the washer was kaput, maybe the nut wasn’t tight enough, etc. It hasn’t happened in awhile but with CO2 being so hard to come by .. I will lose my mind if I do it again. 
I have a little place on the water in Tomahawk, WI and I looked around to see if anyone would refill or exchange and came up empty. But I did find a place in Wausau called American Welding and they refill 5 and 10-pound tanks as long as the cylinder is inside it’s date. It’s just off the highway and I go up there pretty regularly so this could work out nicely. Funny I can’t find a nearby place but 3½ hours away is a good option!
I get mine filled at Natl. Firefighter Corp. Appears to be a nationwide chain.
You are correct that normal shippers (UPS, FedEx, et.al.) will NOT ship full tanks of compressed gas.
I don’t know about the “legal” issues but typical shippers will not handle full compressed gas tanks due to the liability issues in the event something goes wrong.
Paul
Here in Des Moines there are (or least have been) a few options. AirGas is here but pricey, dive shops can often refill CO2 tanks, paint ball arcades/retailers are sometimes an option too.
I use a place called Fessler Carbonics who specialize in beverage retailers, think craft bars/restaurants/concession stands. Basically companies with bigger soda pop setups and keg dispensing systems. They also do recert tests on site so it’s a one stop shop.
Happy hunting!!
Paul
On one hand, thinking that homebrewing might be in decline is a thought but the concept of businesses (bars, restaurants, breweries) needing CO2 is as relevant as ever. I also happen to live in a very populated area (Chicagoland) so I have to be surrounded by places that deal in CO2. Like anything else .. you take a jolt and then you reevaluate and move on. It will all work out.
We have a brewery that will exchange your tank when the truck comes to exchange theirs. I haven’t tried it. It seems like a pain.
I always exchange 5 lbs tanks at Airgas. Recently it has gotten to about $30, it used to be around $20. You don’t have to worry about out of date tanks if you exchange.