BiggerPockets is getting ready to release the 2nd Editions of their Flipping Houses and Estimating Rehab Costs books...you'll find that between these books, many of your questions will be answered:http://www.biggerpockets.com/store

We often do Sears Outlet.The big box stores, Lowes/HD. 

Also look into midtown around the Sears store.

After reading a bunch of blogs, posts, watching videos, googling, I ran across the book "How to Invest in Real Estate" (https://www.biggerpockets.com/store/how-to-invest-in-real-estate-ultimate) and decided to buy it and read through it in a few days (reading it again). 

on file, the building is classify as 8 units(2 stores on ground floor and 6 apartments on top). there is an attic with high enough ceilings and i would like to convert the attic into two apartments or maybe one apartment. 

There are (8) yes, EIGHT grocery stores in Mandarin with a 5 mile path.

Strip malls, retail stores?

eg, if I go to a grocery store and put a cart full of groceries on the belt, can you envision a situation where I could give them a scenario or story that would allow me to leave the store without paying for every item in full, right then?

I also like to stop by a local mom and pop store or restaurant in potential invesment areas and ask around how they feel about the neighborhood.

@Anita Muhammad some quick thoughts on the questions you asked:- definitely allow access to the yard- do not let them store things in the basement or attic if you can at all avoid it.