I wish I had that option. Where I live, Home Depot is 2 blocks away. The nearest independent is 15 miles. The products of the company I work for are sold at both. I’d rather support the independent but can’t drive that far.
Sometimes you have no choice. I’m somewhat handy, but most times when I go into the hardware store I have questions and the local shop almost always has an answer for me....the big-box stores, not so much.