Woden business owners and workers were pleasantly surprised to learn on Tuesday that the ACT government will move about 1100 Territory Health Directorate and Access Canberra staff into the precinct.
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Some even said it could keep their doors open.
The future has been uncertain for Viizar cafe, which sits at the bottom of Canberra's tallest building, the Lovett Tower.
Cafe manager Adam Samios has been stressed since the ACT government announced the trademark public servant building was set to become a near-empty shell by 2016.
"This is the first I've heard about people actually coming into Woden, and the more people who are brought into the area, the better," he said.
Viizar Cafe owner Robii Khalil was relieved by the news, although it's not yet clear which buildings will take in the influx.
"Just having that many more public servants around would mean we should be able to stay open, because I was preparing for the worst," he said.
"To have some local businesses get up and leave was heartbreaking and I wouldn't want to have to do the same."
A steady flow of government workers is also the fuel that keeps The Cock and Crown Mens Barber in the Woden Centre running.
Barber AJ Valeri hasn't noticed much new traffic lately (which he suspects is due to the departments that have already vacated), but loyal regulars have kept it from slowing.
"The type of business that we are lends itself to public servants... the 25-45-year-old professionals who are sick of getting crappy haircuts," he said.
"When they aren't around it puts a damper on things. We started looking at other locations potentially to suit our model but if more are coming into Woden then that works better for us, and we can continue to promote the local businesses."
More public servants means more work events - a plus for owner of Chocolateria San Churro Luke Skipper.
"We do quite a few of those functions that they have so I say bring it on," he said.
"We had quite a few regulars who came in religiously but don't anymore because they don't work here, so this is great for us without a doubt."
Property fund manager Shane Quinn of local business advocacy organisation, The Woden Group, welcomes the "fantastic outcome" for businesses who have been suffering in the area.
He is confident the additional public servants will help stabilise employment and drive economic growth.
No date has been set, but the government hopes to start the move by early 2016.
Currently ACT Health staff are located across 30 sites around Canberra.
The plan also includes a new ACT government shopfront for Canberra's south. At present, the only Access Canberra shopfront is in Gungahlin.
