Local parts stores are crappy sources for our cars, I'm finding out. I usually order from RockAuto online or a specialty store online (like the a/c store mentioned) to find what I need. Alot of these shops just use whatever parts store is close by, and if they're not familiar with these cars, they tend to call 1-3 local places. If they don't have the part, they call you and tell you you're SOL. My brother had issues w/ getting his a/c fixed in his 95. The guy acted like he had to go around the world to find parts and kept insinuating that they were hard or impossible to find, and I had to tell him they are widely available from select sources.
It kind of sucks, when you're in a position where you "need it now" and can't run down to the local parts store and get what you need. In most cases, if they do have it, they have to put an overnight order in and have it delivered from a local hub/distribution store. It's shocking if you can just walk in, ask for a part, and they have it right then and there.