Seeing this exact story happen all over DC right now. Just yesterday a locally owned bar announced it was closing because it couldn't come to terms on a new lease with the property owner. The insinuation was that the owner would happily let the place sit empty until a national chain was willing to take it.
Similarly, 14th St in DC even just a few years ago was becoming a vibrant, fun spot to shop, drink, and eat in. This was after years of neglect in the area. Over the last year or so though a string of bars and shops have closed and all been replaced with banks. Capital One Cafes, Citi, etc. I have no idea how all these banks are functioning (I thought brick and mortar banks were on their way out?) but it's a damn shame.