At the crux of commercial gentrification is the changing demographics of a community. Communities can work to address housing gentrification which in turn impacts the customer base and local workforce availability. There are a multitude of tools specifically designed to address housing gentrification.
See the Voorhees Center Case Study.
Other Community Resources:
The community can designate a commercial project manager, similar to a Main Street Manager, who ensures small businesses have access to the resources they need and serves as a liaison for developers to preserve the desired small business mix.
A strong business community and identity can stave off commercial gentrification through collaborative and cooperative actions. Communities can encourage small businesses to participate in local business associations.