A historic building in McCauley could get a new life as a convenience store and pharmacy, if approved by city council.
The Phyllis Grocery at 10631 96th Street was built as a grocery store in 1941. It is one of the few surviving examples of a commercial space integrated into a residential neighbourhood in Edmonton.
The building has sat vacant for the last nine months with broken windows, graffiti and garbage.
Albert Bernard, who has lived in McCauley for 29 years, said the old grocery store was a wonderful part of the neighbourhood. He would often stop in for grocery basics and five cent candies.
“I loved it, my kids loved it, my mum and dad loved it,” Bernard said. “It was great.”
Now a developer hopes to return the building to its roots and re-establish a commercial store in the residential McCauley neighbourhood.
The building, most recently used as a single family home, was granted a historical designation in May.
A public hearing will be held next week to discuss the possibility of opening a convenience store and pharmacy in the building.
The developer proposes maintaining the historical elements of the building, including the boomtown facade, and tearing down the backyard garage to make room for customer parking.
Albert Bernard has lived in the McCauley neighbourhood for 29 years. He says restoring business to this old historic building will bring more life to the area. (Laura Osman/CBC)
Some members of the public have already called the city to express their excitement about the proposed revitalization of the neighbourhood.
“I think it would bring more life to the neighbourhood,” Bernard said.
He said it would be nice for elderly people in the neighbourhood to not have to walk several blocks to the next closest convenience store.
But according to a city report, other community members are concerned a drug store will further attract homeless people to the area.
The ultimate decision will be made by city councillors on Wednesday.