I think it's just one of those tradional things that we do.
I have a bread bin which was my Mothers ..a round enamel bin with a lid .Years ago we didn't have sliced wrapped bread .So a bin kept it dry and crusty and prevented creepy crawlies ,weevils etc getting to it. Also stopped other foodstuffs from tainting the bread possibly.
No, not in the fridge, as F-f says. I don't even put mine in a cupboard - not that we eat it. We only have it in the house when anyone is staying over.
I can't see the point in using up worktop space. They all seem way too big for what they do.