Developer proposing new life for abandoned Churchill Square grocery store

As the years pass there are fewer people whoremember thatthe deadzonein Churchill Square wasonce a bustling grocery store.

Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary helpedmake it easier to look at afterconvincing its owners to paste large images of old St. John's on its exteriorbut there's still no reason to venture inside39 Rowan Street.

• St. John's, old supermarkets and economic black holes

• Changes coming to some St. John's eyesores

Now there is reason to hope that will change. Adeveloper is asking the City of St. John's to approve its proposal to revive theChurchill Square eyesore.

Exactly what KMKCapital Corporation, and its undisclosed partner, wantto do with the building that's owned by Loblawshasn't been made public.

The city says the development application isn't available to the public while staff review it. They say the proposal will be released when it goes to city council with a recommendation from city staff.

Sources have suggested developers are proposing a mixed residential/commercial development that would include a large Shoppers Drug Mart one that sells some groceries, like the Shopperson Torbay Road.

Neither KMKCapital or the city are confirming that.

Loblawsboughtthe Shoppers Drug Mart chain in 2013, but it isn't speaking about the Churchill Square site right now.

• Loblaw to buy Shoppers Drug Mart for $12.4B