Big Changes Coming to South Station

A CVS, Starbucks and Tavern In The Square are all coming to South Station. Barbara's Books, meanwhile, is returning.

Even better: They're renovating the bathroom to "airport quality" facilities.

The MBTA signed four new leases the week allowing the businesses to build or occupy space at the venerated transportation hub. CVS will build a two-story, 30,000-square-foot store, slated to open in the spring of 2014.

Tavern In The Square, meanwhile, will build a 40-seat restaurant in the station, which will open in November or December. Starbucks and Barbara's also signed leases with the MBTA.

"This is great news not only for the thousands of people who travel through South Station daily, but also for the Commonwealth as a whole," said MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott in a statement. "These leases help fund the upkeep of New England's busiest transit hub at no cost to the MBTA or taxpayers." 

Barbara's, meanwhile, has been a mainstay in the terminal for 20 years. The new lease means travelers will have the familiar tall stacks of books and magazines to mill through as they wait for their train.