Strip Mall Issues

What image does this portray to our target audience?
Are there other church plants who have used this method in our area? What did they learn?
How accessible is the location?
Are there ancillary buildings, spaces, etc that may detract from the effectiveness of the space?
Are the other lessees going to be bothered by cars coming and going during different times of the week?
How's the parking availability during your planned service times?
Has the space met with proper zoning laws?
How much freedom is available to build out the space you lease? Who pays for the "build out"?
Unless you have real estate experience, get someone who does; especially when working with commercial space. It's not the same as residential. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Once these questions have been answered thoroughly, then negotiate accordingly. Talk to real estate people who handle commercial property and find out what the going rate is for the spaces in your area.

Check the insulation; both for heat/cooling but also for sound dampening. A second thing to check is the heating/cooling capability. Can it do the job with 200+ people in it.

Check to see who pays what, how do you get out of the lease, what are the penalties, are there restrictions on your operations, do they receive a percentage of your income, how much to they want up front, who pays for the signage (if any) out front, what is the owner's responsibility for maintaining the parking lot and building front, how are utilities handled, who else is in the building, and similar questions are important.

To get around retail zoning restrictions you may have to something like put in a bookstore in order to comply with the covenants about retail-only. It's turned out to be a great way for the church to connect with seekers (who else comes into a religious bookstore?). The retail shouldn't have any impact on your not-for-profit status.
Grace Fellowship Church in Baltimore is was a great example of how to convert a warehouse space in an office park into a church.
Check out http://www.mallministry.org
Calvary Assembly (Assembly of God) Decatur, Alabama that has recently purchased about 200 acres of land and intends to build not just a strip mall - but an entire community (2004). For more see

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