ST. CLOUD -- A longstanding building in east St. Cloud has new life.

IKare Wireless now sits in the former Granite City Pawnshop location.

Gilbert Ayala bought the building from previous owner Ken Finken in May. He says he felt this was an opportunity to rejuvenate this side of town.

"Ken Finken came to me with this opportunity to buy the building and bring life back to the east side. I talked to my family and we jumped at the opportunity."

Ayala says he offers Verizon prepaid cellphone service for people with bad or no credit in the front part of the building. He also has other ideas to utilize the rest of the building.

"We're offering Narcotics Anonymous meetings starting Tuesday on the second side of the building. Then hopefully rent out the upstairs, bring it up to code, and rent it to a low income family that could use it."

Ayala says they open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Granite City Pawnshop closed back in October after 43 years in business.

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