Urgent care center coming to site of former Family Video location in Cuyahoga Falls
WellNow Urgent Care will open a new center in Cuyahoga Falls early next year at the site of the former Family Video on the northeast corner of Graham and State roads.
The walk-in health clinic operator based in Chicago has 128 locations in Ohio, New York, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana.
The company currently operates centers in North Canton, Alliance and Massillon. In all, it has 34 locations throughout Ohio, Annie Keller, WellNow’s Manager of Public Relations, said via email.
Activity at the site has been the focus of attention recently, including a recent social media post speculating a fast-food hamburger eatery would open there. The Family Viedo store has been razed.
Both State and Graham roads are heavily traveled and the site is located near the popular Portage Crossing Shopping Center, which includes a Giant Eagle Market District Supermarket, restaurants and a movie theater.
Keller said the site was chosen, in part, for that reason.
“Our location in Cuyahoga Falls was selected for its easy proximity to businesses, shopping and transportation, so patients can access the treatment they need close to where they live and work,” she said.
WellNow Urgent Care centers, on average, represent a $2 million investment by the company, she said.
The 3,500-square-foot center will employ six to 10 employees; the company opened its first center in Big Flats, New York, in 2012 and has grown through acquisitions and establishing new urgent care locations.
Family Video chain closed all sites in 2021
The site became available after Family Video announced Jan 5, 2021, it would close its remaining 250 locations, including six still operating the Akron-Canton area.
End of an era: As Family Video closes, libraries offer movies, music and games for free
At the time, Keith Hoogland, chief executive officer of parent company Highland Ventures, said the impact of COVID-19 on foot traffic and new movie releases led to the decision.
Keller said an early 2023 opening was planned for the new urgent care center, “depending on weather during construction.”
Urgent care centers have been popping up across the region and nationwide in recent years as health care providers compete to bring more convenient care closer to home for patients.
The number of urgent care centers in the United States reached 9,616 in 2019, an increase of almost 10% from the prior year, according to a report from the Urgent Care Association.
Urgent care, more in Stow: New Summa Stow-Kent Medical Center has eye on future while honoring past
The WellNow Urgent Care center will be equipped to handle non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, with next-day PCR COVID-19 testing and competitive rates, Keller said.
Its location intentionally puts it near commercial and office establishments and residential housing.
“When someone isn’t feeling well, the last thing they want to do is drive a long distance for care,” Keller said in the email.
Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Urgent care coming to site of former Family Video in Cuyahoga Falls
