Retail stores lease from owners of the buildings. They are usually long term leases. Taxes are paid to the township and county even if the spaces are vacant. The remaining tenants split the amount of taxes of the vacant space.

Why would a business want to lease a 40+ year old building in a bad location for long term?

Butler township will draw more shoppers with these anchor chain stores. This means more money coming into the area. More sales means more business privlege taxes for the school district. Eventually when the economy hopefully improves, more businesses will fill the vacant spaces.

Butler is not the only area with vacant spaces. Take a look around Cass and see a bigger picture.