Businesses in the Stavanger Drive area of St. John’s are pleased with a new role for the old Costco building which has been sitting empty since the store pulled up stakes for Galway back in 2019.

Last week the provincial government announced that the building will serve as a new ambulatory care hub, to help divert traffic away from St. John’s hospitals. Government announced an 82-million dollar, 20-year lease of the building which will provide services like physiotherapy, some surgical and medical clinics and offer x-rays and ultrasounds.

Robin Thistle of Blinds & Drapes Etc says she’s looking forward to increased traffic in the area.

She says when Costco pulled out, “it was like somebody shut the lights off down here in the east end.”

Other businesses who spoke to VOCM News echoed that sentiment.