I recommend looking into local networking events such as Black Diamond hosted by @Ann Bellamy in Waltham and Worcester, and a quarterly meet up in Woburn area hosted by @Justin Silverio If you have any local questions, feel free to reach out to me.

You should consider going to the Black Diamond networking event in Waltham.

They could also bundle say 20 out of 100 restaurants backing your store's location but then all of those 20 are the crappy performing stores they can all dump at once if they do not turn around while not affecting the top diamond performers.It's a game where tenants want the least risk on their side and the lower rent paid.

My favorite is the Black Diamond meeting that alternates every other month between their Waltham and Worcester locations so you are in a decent area to go to both, this month is in Waltham.  

Find them through Google and meetup.com There is a good one called Black Diamond in Worcester.Two Great reads, I bought both J.

We've heard good things about Black Diamond REIs and plan to start getting involved.

My personal favorite is the Black Diamond meeting in Waltham (alternates every month with their Worcester location, next Waltham one is May), it is worth the drive.  

Yes, Yes and Yes. prices are relative to the market and the area, you happen to be looking in a very high priced market where more things are demanded. i'm sure you may find a diamond in the rough somewhere, but to start off you may want to start looking in a different class neighborhood, a little lower but not as expensive.

I also strongly suggest going to local REIA meetups like Black Diamond to start networking with other investors and agents.

Regardless, I'll be hitting up the local meetups (Black Diamond, REIA, etc) and hopefully extend my network.