What kind of calculation goes into leasing something for 750k/year to keep competition away? Is it as simple as thinking that a competing store would cost them 750k/year or do other factors go into this?

Also, the mayor expressed his frustration but there is a lot that local government can do to combat this kind of thing. Even something as simple as getting a weekly farmers market started or actively looking for small time grocers would help. I think the mayor doesn't want to push too hard for whatever reason.