I can help you in the Ruskin/Sun City Center area.Feel free to pm me and we can talk.Bill 

Due to the size of these stores it makes it very difficult to rent these locations and in most centers you have to divide the space which requires significant modifications to hvac, electrical, plumbing and storefronts.While this doesn’t answer the questions gives things to consider if buying one.

My interest in SLC is that I have family there and want to visit often, it is where the USA Climbing Training Center is which gets lots of visitors etc... 

There's a ton of new development, stores, and shopping center going in over the next few years. 

My wife and I are under contract on a home we would like to turn into an MTR at some point close to downtown Mesa and the Mesa Arts Center, ~ 10 minutes from Banner Health.

In highly touristy areas like lakes or vacation spots, an STR typically generates higher income from short stays but may not attract long-term tenants due to seasonal demand.However, if the property is in a more versatile location, such as near schools, businesses, or urban centers, it may work as an LTR, providing steady income and fewer management demands. 

Hey James the prime area for ASU Tempe is a 0.5-mile radius from the center of campus and then the next tier is a 0.5-1 miles from campus.

One vacancy in a lower tier market, could take 1+ years to fill, compared to a prime retail location that has a tenant waiting list just hoping a vacancy appears at a center.

Would I invest in an in-fill strip center on a major retail corridor with signalized access and strong incomes?  

Generally, the further you go from a city's center—about 20+ miles—such properties become more common.