The recent local closings of Tower Records in Cambridge and Virgin Megastore on Newbury Street are added evidence that downloadable music on the Internet has spelled a death sentence for some pricey national chain record stores that cannot sell enough CDs and related technology to stay afloat.

Somehow, though, amid the chaos created by downloads and downsizings, managers at some local record shops say they are surviving by appealing to the needs and whims of today’s consumers.

Newbury Street mainstay Newbury Comics, in addition to selling CDs and DVDs, offers souvenirs for the many tourists who stop in during their trips along the trendy Back Bay stretch.

At Nuggets in Kenmore Square, shop owner Mike Gath said his store, founded in 1978, has expanded its offerings to other types of media.

“We used to only do music,” he said. “[Now] movies have picked up a lot of the slack.”

Used CDs generally sell for between $5 and $12, and Gath said he also offers a “grab bag” of three CDs — which customers don’t see before they purchase them – for a combined $1.

“If you’re going to spend $18 on a CD, it’s safe to say you’re not going to buy that many CDs in a year,” he said.

By contrast, Gath said Nuggets customers, who tend to give repeat business, can buy between 300 to 400 CDs per year.

“We’re doing tolerably well,” he said. “I still get paid.”

At CD Spins, another used CD store on pricey Newbury Street, clerk Jessica Cuevas said her independent record store helps offset its hefty rent by selling used CDs to avoid dealing with record companies.

“We’re more down-to-earth,” she said. “We sell to the public and buy from the public.”

At one time, CD Spins had five locations around Boston. Although the Newbury store is performing strongly, its surroundings have changed, Cuevas said.

“This street used to be a destination for music because Berklee was right around the corner,” she said. “But times have changed, and we’re going to try to change with them.”

CD Spins has also embraced the digital era of music — the store started selling products online, as well. Online sales contribute significantly to the store’s profits, Cuevas said.

“We could definitely use more business,” she said. “We’re not doing fantastic, but we’re getting by.”

College of Arts and Sciences freshman Keith Simpson, who owns a sizeable music collection, said he used to buy more CDs before he converted to downloading albums online.

“I have about 150 CDs I actually bought, but if I had a choice of just copying it, a lot of times I just go the least-expensive route.”

According to Simpson, independent shops are outliving their chain-store cousins because the chains lack character.

“I’m sure [independent shops are] not lining their pockets or anything, but they’re not closing down,” he said. “People can take pride in shopping there instead of downloading their music.”