I agree that it's a waste of space, but this design is actually typical for how Detroit grocery stores are built, postwar. The buildings were usually built against the street with no setback with a surface lot next to it. In the last 20ish years, though, they just got stupid with development patterns trying to chase the trends of the suburbs, and started the strip mall designs with the buildings set way back from the sidewalk behind a sea of parking. This is at least a return to somewhat sanity.
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