There is always a market for real estate, even for businesses. It might be that a person does not wish to build a store right away but wishes to occupy a lot simply because they land is cheaper compared to past market conditions and holding the lot creates potential profit. Whatever the motivation, there is currently quite a bit of commercial property for sale. It is common for small businesses in particular to call it quits, and when they sell their lots, there is often a profit to be made.
A lot can be worth a lot of money over many years, depending on its locations. If it is in a smaller town, the lot can be expected to grow in value if it is anywhere near hubs of traffic. If your business plans to stick around for more than a few years, a new could be a very lucrative investment.