There are a few of those stores in my area.
I have never personally seen one actually open, never seen anyone moving around the lot or building and do not know anyone who’s ever bought anything there.
I have always assumed they were just a [store]front for some other, illicit activity.
84 lumber services mostly contractors....
The contractors that use them employ large groups of illegal Aliens....
I had a neighbor (American) who used to be employed as a carpenter who hasn’t been able to get a job for several years because illegals keep undercutting his wage from contractors....
He now bids small jobs directly, makes a good living but his margins are getting squeezed again by illegals bidding those jobs directly...
Any heavy set Italianish looking guys sitting out front in cheap lawn chairs. Where I live it's sandwich shops, coffee shops, vacuum cleaner repair, cigar shops, pizza places etc.
Seems like wherever I’ve lived, there has been an 84 Lumber...which sooner or later goes out of business.
I’ve been inside - very bare bones and caters to contractors more than the general public.
Notably, there has always been a fence around the outdoor lumber storage...wouldn’t want anyone sneaking in I guess.