2nd Story Above Small Town Retail

[Charlie Barnett]

Brand new to the topic of real estate investing.

I was wondering what everybody's thoughts were on these types of properties (the 2nd story and above):

Places like these are in every small to smallish town across the country. The above pic is just a random town I zoomed in on in Google Maps. 

As far as I can tell they are almost completely vacant. Are they relics of a bygone era? Did automobiles make them obsolete? Is anyone anywhere doing anything productive with them?

I suppose if there were really any opportunity here, we'd see more of these occupied.

Curious as to what the opinion was of those who are more seasoned than I am in the real estate game.