They still exist.

Everywhere.

Give me a zip code and I will find an independent pharmacist near it.

Here's one in downtown Manhattan: https://www.elmdrugs.com/

Here's one in Fairbanks, Alaska: https://akfamilypharmacy.com/

Here's one 30 miles away from the center of Loving County, Texas, the least-populated (pop: 64) county in the United States: https://www.facebook.com/p/Hometown-Pharmacy-Kermit-10007757...

Just like with purchasing products made locally/sustainably, it is often a matter of convenience and lack of effort which leads people to believe that there are no other options than what is being marketed towards them.

I found them the same way I found my pharmacy-- the National Community Pharmacists Association pharmacy locator: https://ncpa.org/pharmacy-locator