They provide an effective barrier. You go through the shops one after another, starting with the hunting shop.
You find a couple of more batteries, a portable stove, some more clothes. You don't find any more ammo or weapons though.
The flower shop and the art gallery doesn't have anything of note, neither does the tobaccoo shop. The back of the hardware store on the other hand has some goodies. (but you really should make a rhough estimate on the weight your group is carrying)