Fat margins = here sure have this cookie (institution proceeds to eat an entire cake).

It depends on a lender I just closed in a building 4 doors which two of them is store fronts and it was considered as a commercial by the  lender.

The units are located in a strip mall w/a grocery store as the main tenant and smaller pads w/fast food restaurants & other local businesses. 

Which makes it even more twisted since in some places the landlord can be held liable if there is criminal activity associated with their property and they do not take proactive steps to prevent it.If the laws are as you describe, why isn't every bloody business owner with a retail location not "subject to arrest" for having audio/video surveillance in their stores? 

My dad used to prefer renting stores to people needing offices because it's cleaner and insurance cheaper.

For the items being stored they had to pay $500 a month until the items were removed.

Looking at a property that’s in a decent area with a big box store right down the street.

Depending on our building structures I wait for special order returns (SOR) at Lowes & just store them in my barn.

Have you gone to HD or a carpet store and asked this question?

If you're doing 4 at once you might be able to get a discount or financing... and if you buy from big box store you can always buy discounted gift cards for a discount ..