The cool, indie stores were the first to go. They can't afford to be so accommodating to theft. The big box stores and the chains were able to cross-subsidize with the profits from the burbs. But now even they can't afford the chaos.
They might also be most motivated by any incentives offered by the city to bring people and shops back to market street/ union square. Part of the perception issue is the ratio of homeless to non-homeless people. Tipping the balance back might help improve perceptions and create a virtuous circle.