SANTEE, Calif. — It's been nearly a week since Trader Joe's announced it would be opening a store in Santee and it has been the talk of the town since.
First, the chatter was all about a Trader Joe's coming to Santee. Now people are asking: where?
CBS 8 saw work going on inside the former Best Buy building on Thursday.
The superintendent of the construction told us it wasn't going to be Trader Joe's and then he said he was "yanking our chain."
It's like the worst kept secret and we can't get anyone to give it to us straight, people are speculating that it could be opening in the old Best Buy on Mission Gorge.
“All of Santee is wondering where Trader Joe’s is going to go, no one is talking about anything else,” said Chris Checks, a Santee shopper.
Last week, CBS 8 broke the news when Trader Joe’s confirmed it would be opening a location in Santee but wouldn't confirm where.
“We are under the NDA, non-disclosure agreement, with them. They have announced coming to Santee but not the location so we can't say that,” said Dustin Trotter, Santee Vice Mayor.
The council member says Trader Joe’s is one of the biggest questions he gets from shoppers.
“Why can't we get Trader Joe’s or something like that here," said Jannette Campos, a shopper.
The closest Trader Joe’s is over the hill in La Mesa. People on social media sounded off when they heard the specialty grocer was coming to Santee.
“Super produce and cheerful staff. This is not a commercial for Trader Joe's I'm just a regular person I don't work there,” said Checks.
Santee neighbors have submitted countless requests to bring in a Trader Joe's.
“We've all worked very hard in this and we have gone to the International Council of Shopping Centers conference in Las Vegas and met with Trader Joe's at that conference and lobbied for them and the community did a great job,” said Trotter.
While he is staying mum about the location, CBS 8 has been Working for You found all signs point to the old Best Buy which closed two years ago.
“I think this is a great location and I'll tell you why. Cause the parking lot is great. We all know that's the big joke about Trade Joe's their parking lots stink,” said Checks.
In November, CBS 8 also broke the news that the 30,000 square-foot building on Mission Gorge was in a pending lease but because of an NDA the realtor couldn't divulge the new tenants.
He was responding to follow up questions but now that we know it's a Trader Joe's it's been crickets.
You can also see there is work going on in the former electronic store.
The superintendent of the project wouldn't confirm nor deny it would be Trader Joe's but said the work will be finished in about three months and said it would be a beautiful building.
“Thank you for the inside scoop,” said Andrea Hull, Santee employee.
Santee shoppers say the town is living up to its brand, ‘Due more, Due east.’
“Right now, everyone in Santee can hold their head up high, La Jolla east. We finally have a Trader Joe's," said Checks.
Trader Joe's says they typically announce stores a couple of months before opening their doors.
The former Best Buy is a 30,000 square feet space which would be considered massive for a Trader Joe’s store.
City officials would not confirm it’s going to be converted into a Trader Joe’s but did say the landlord of the former Best Buy has submitted tenant improvements to divide the building into multiple tenants.
Santee has grown in the last few years. The city says it has brought in 30 national chains to the city in the last five years and most recently California’s first small-format Macy’s opened in the former Bed Bath and Beyond store.
Last week, the city council approved a tentative parcel map plan where Karl Strauss Brewery plans to build on the northwest corner of Cuyamaca Street and Town Center Parkway. Plans for the brewery have been put on hold since 2015.
CBS 8 has reached out to Karl Strauss for comment and will update you when we hear back.
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