I inherited a partnership in a 22 unit commercial building with 8 restaurants, a grocery store, a couple of personal care services, and various other businesses.

A little frustrated and thinking about being done, we kept the door on the hinges as we finished our last few planes on the bottom corner. 

You can't thrift-store-buy your way to profitability.

Most get cornered into purchasing specific property types because its what their resources allow.

Again, the BiggerPockets store has some books on this topic, or you can learn about it by watching podcasts, reading blogs, and interacting on the forum.

Coffered ceilings, low corner additions etc.Anyone can slap lipstick on a pig, looking for high value add in high demand markets is where the $ is.

Manage their properties Provide welcome gifts/ goodie bags for their guests before check in Hauling extra supplies/ misc items to return to stores or other properties--Any other ideas that I can pitch to make myself more marketable?

Meaning you'll have to store their property.

Put a sign up in the corner store.And I would rethink your concern about 'rough areas'...

I'd look for a good brand and spend some time looking at reviews from a big box store.