Usually the pattern is allow a local small business lease to expire and wait for a big company that will pay at the highest end of the market or above market rents. So kick out local business with thin margins who wants to negotiate the rent and wait for Starbucks or Chipotle to pay you $$$.

No clue if it is actually financially beneficial for the renter but many believe it's beneficial to keep a store empty to wait around for a big company to want the property rather than committing to a small entity who can't pay big company rates.

Tenants also make the building more difficult to sell, if you are trying to sell.