Bakeries in America vs. Australia

I've just been home for a few weeks (Australia) and although I guess I now should call America my home I'm finding that commitment difficult. Anyway - to baking. There were so many bakeries in Melbourne - the locals which sell breads, pies (meat and other), pasties and an assortment of goods including: custard tarts, jam scrolls, apple and walnut scrolls with a dense rich white icing, pizza rolls, Vegemite and cheese rolls, lamingtons, biscuits, scones and other 'doughy' (for lack of a better word) selections.
Then there were the amazing Italian and Greek pastries with tarts, plenty of mini pastries which were all combined into a cafe. I wonder why bakeries aren't as popular in America (at least where I am in Seattle) compared to Australia (and I imagine many other countries).
Anybody have any thoughts on this?