TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Throughout the years, the trend of online shopping has pushed many people out of stores, even pushing some out of business.

While browsing for items from your couch does offer convenience, some still find value in the experience of visiting a storefront and seeing products in person.

“Online, you don’t know exactly what you’re going to get, you don’t know how it feels, you don’t know what quality it really is unless you trust the reviews,” said Kristine Romine, clerk for Sweet Baking & Candy Making Supply.

“Malls have morphed into more hands-on type of stores. People want to touch, to feel,” said Randy Austin, owner of Fairlawn Plaza.

Despite this digital shift, stores remain hopeful their customers will come through their doors, not through their browsers.

“A lot of our clientele are trying to keep us in business and not shop online. I appreciate the online shopping, but I do love the brick-and-mortar,” Romine continued.

Fairlawn Plaza is expecting several new tenants by the end of the year.

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