Part of the problem is that there is no pain for landlords that have empty storefronts.
If I told you to take $5 out of your pocket and put it in a drawer, and wait an undetermined amount of time, (maybe 1 month, maybe 3 months, maybe 6 months, maybe a year, but eventually, that $5 turns into 1 million dollars), you might do it! You won't miss that $5. But you want the million.
Alternatively, you could put that $5 in your checking account and earn 2% a year on it.