I'm in Metro NY and have never had an issue with bikes locked outside of stores, not even when I lived and rode in Manhattan. My rules were simple, Not all day when at work, and never at the movie theater, where all an thief had to do was check the schedule.

Otherwise, stores and restaurants were relatively safe especially if there was a large front window. Sometimes, when going into another store, I'd lock opposite a restaurant or Pizza place with big glass.

My approach was and is to bolster the lock with a bit of psychological warfare. I'd lock in places where the thief would wonder if the owner still had an eye on it, or was likely to come out at any time. By that logic in front of a Pizza joint is safer than if front of a fancy restaurant.

Anyway bikes are for riding, and if you're going to worry about all day, leave it home and take the bus. (or get a dedicated beater).