Health care organizations have taken advantage of a glut of retail space and low leasing rates in the aftermath of the recession. Some examples:

• Allina Health opened an Aspen clinic in a former Old Country Buffet in St. Paul's Highland Park neighborhood in May and a former Wickes Furniture in Maple Grove in 2008; currently building a clinic with dermatology and urology services at St. Paul's Bandana Square to complement an existing Sister Kenny Rehabilitation site.

• Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA) plans to open a second Urgency Room in vacant retail space in Eagan in October; moved into former Blockbuster in Woodbury in 2011.

• HealthEast Care System will open a spine clinic in a former Maplewood Gander Mountain later this month; opened a primary clinic at a former Borders bookstore in St. Paul in June and in an empty EQ-life store in 2009.

• HealthPartners opened clinics in vacant retail spaces in Eagan last year and Cottage Grove in 2010.

• Hennepin County Medical Center opened a neighborhood clinic at a former Snyders Drug store in St. Anthony last October, allowing it to retain an on-site pharmacy and drive-up window; operates clinics in Wal-Mart stores in Bloomington and Eden Prairie.

• Mayo Clinic has announced plans to open a $220 million facility in the Mall of America's Phase II expansion, which has yet to break ground; operates a Healthy Living store with wellness assessments and transplant consultation.

• North Memorial recently purchased a retail site off Hwy. 55 in Plymouth for a large clinic; will open a primary care clinic at Victory Village in Blaine.

• Park Nicollet opens a clinic this week in a strip mall in Rogers and another in Champlin Town Center in early 2013; built a clinic in a former Hollywood Video in Lakeville last year.

• Partners in Pediatrics opened in the retail portion of Ellipse, a mixed-use apartment/retail development in St. Louis Park in 2010.

• St. Paul Eye Clinic took over a former Blockbuster at Grand Av. and Lexington Pkwy. in St. Paul.

• Stillwater Medical Group, part of HealthPartners, plans to open a clinic in November in a former Betty's Pies location in Mahtomedi.