When I lived in Syracuse, I always went to my LHBS for ingredients and bottles. For equipment, I would either make my own, buy online or, occasionally go to my LHBS. Now that I live in Atlanta, I have a few more choices.
My closest LHBS is sketchy at best and I won't be going back there. it is about 20 minutes away from my house. The next closest is about 40 minutes away and is probably the nicest LHBS I have ever been to physically. My other LHBS is BMW but it is about an hour away. I haven't had the chance to get there in person, but I have ordered supplies from them and will continue to do so.
My plan is to basically split my business between the two. I love BMW's Brew Builder because it makes it ultra easy to order recipes (especially ones that I want to repeat) The other shop has won my business because of his selection, prices, service and knowledge. When we were there a few weeks ago, there was another couple there trying to clone Terrapin's RyePA and I listened in on him helping them assemble the ingredients... I was quite impressed. When it came time for me to check out, we chatted for quite some time and he even gave my daughter a lollipop, making sure to use her name (SWMBO had been talking to her on the other side of the counter.)
My daughter has half of her soccer games not far from that shop, so it is a bit easier to pop over after her game. And now that Ed has his new store up and running, we are going to plan a Saturday to head over there and make a few stops on that side of town that we have been putting off.
I definitely have no reservations about not patronizing an LHBS that does to meet my needs though.