Are you noticing most small businesses are closing up and not many start up anymore? Why?

I haven't noticed that. What I've noticed around here is that places that were vacant for three-four years are opening up with new businesses in them. The 'Blockbuster' store was boarded up...but now there is an awesome sports store in there. The 'Baby' store closed, but now a craft shop is going to open there.

Not only are the empty spaces in the strip malls filling up (more Thai food, please!) but they are building more business space so that means more small businesses.

Oh yeah...the 'Vape' shops are popping up next to cigar stores, too.

Some were under capitalized, (Didn't have enough cash in reserve to tie them over during slow periods) some weren't advertised, or managed properly (If they don't know you are there, they can't buy from you and if you are rude, or have an inferior product they won't come back.) and the biggest reason these days is that the government goes out of its way to tax small business to death and make it impossible to stay in business through employee laws and costs. Many small businesses couldn't afford the impact that Obamacare caused to their very narrow profit margin. The U.S. at this time is very ANTI_BUSINESS oriented. Larger businesses are leaving the country completely and the government hits the smaller businesses harder to take up the slack in the tax areas!

small businesses simply cannot compete with the big box stores that have invaded their community replacing the sources customers had to get the products before
and actually the big box stores are also fading out because it is so easy to shop on the internet and shipping is being repped up for faster, quicker delivery

Try securing investment funds, finding and acquiring a good location, leading the perfect marketing campaign, paying employees and finally making a sale of a produced product or expert services without going belly-up within the first few months. It ain't easy pal. It's a jungle out there!

because of too many government regulations and mandatory minimum wages that may prevent the creation of a new successful business

Well in my city the $15/hr minimum wage isn't helping.

Creating a business is difficult and they close because they are not doing well. I do see a lot of franchise type business coming into my town like Qdoba, Starbucks, Aldi's, etc. They have proven systems for success and easier because they provide a system, products, strategies, etc. to the franchise owner. Small business owners have to figure all that stuff on their own, so buying into a franchise is much easier to do.

Small business cannot compete with large retailers with consumers being price oriented.