A popular new addition to the Village Shopping Centre is temporarily closed while the City of St. John’s conducts an assessment of the operation.

Stuffy Riders, which offers ride-on stuffed animals that can be rented and driven around the mall, opened earlier this fall.

The battery-operated machines have become a popular attraction at other large malls across the country.

The city says a discretionary use application has been submitted by the company, 2741614 ALBERTA INC, for the use of motorized stuffed animals to be driven in the mall.

Public comments are due by November 27.