Group buys old grocery store to create behavioral health urgent care

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWNY) – A group from Malone has struck a deal to buy a former grocery store and bring urgent behavioral health care to Watertown.

The group Citizen Advocates has purchased the site of the former Great American grocery store on State Street for more than $600,000.

The facility will focus on mental health and addiction and will be open to the public 24/7 with no referral required.

Company officials don’t know if they will reuse the current building or demolish it, but say they are excited to finally move forward with the process.

“Just with the need outpacing the ability to provide those supports and services, we want to continue to fill that gap. Therefore, Citizen Advocates, through its behavioral health urgent care model, offers a program and service that is not currently available in Jefferson County, for which we are grateful to be able to do so,” said James Button, CEO of Citizen Advocates.

Button says his timeline for opening is 12 to 18 months, barring delays due to supply chain issues or the availability of contractors to complete the project.

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