A Winnipeg city appeal committee has turned down a plea by some residents to stop the expansion of the Shoppers Drug Mart in Osborne Village.

The pharmacy chain's proposal to expand its store on Osborne Street and Roslyn Road has sparked opposition by some who fear it would hurt the neighbourhood's unique character.

Shoppers Drug Mart wants to purchase, then demolish, the buildings next to the existing store in order to add 13,231 square feet of retail space.

That would mean two longtime local businesses, Vi-Ann Vietnamese Restaurant and Movie Village, would be forced to close at their current locations.

In December, the city's Board of Adjustment approved the expansion proposal, despite opposition from residents and Vi-Ann owner Bac Hguy Bui.

On Thursday morning, some of the concerned residents gave the appeal committee a petition with the signatures of about 5,000 people who oppose the proposed expansion.

"A large store — or a big-box store, if you will — doesn't fit. This isn't Regent [Avenue]," said Shannon Van Raes, one of the expansion plan's opponents.

"You can't grow a village by reducing the number of businesses in it."

But several hours later, the committee ruled to uphold the Board of Adjustment's decision.