RAMONA, Calif. — The former Kmart in Ramona has a lot of people wondering when someone will move into the abandoned building. CBS 8 has been Working for You to get answers about vacant properties and that old Kmart is one we've received a lot of questions about.
The Kmart closed in 2020. Since then, the 100,000-square-foot building at 1855 Main Street in Ramona still sits empty and boarded up.
“This is blight, this is so blight,” said Kathy Williams, Ramona resident.
The former Kmart in the Ramona Station shopping center is boarded up with a chain wrapped around the door handles.
“We deserve better,” said Williams.
In a public records search, CBS 8 found after Kmart closed, in 2022 the property was sold to Ramona Station LLC for $7.3 million.
“I have been wondering what's going on, because it up and went real quick and it's been empty ever since,” said Wendy Hutchings, Ramona resident.
CBS 8 called the number of the listed real estate agents from Retail Insite but never heard back. In Ramona Community Planning Group (RCPG) agendas, items pertaining to the property revealed the owner plans to divide the building to make room for four tenants.
The possible four tenants are Marshalls, Five Below, PetSmart and Grocery Outlet. People living in the area said some stores sound redundant for their community.
“We don't really need another grocery store because we are pretty loaded on grocery stores and dollar stores,” said Hutchings.
The local land use consultant, Atlantis Group, is overseeing an overarching redevelopment project for the shopping center.
Ted Shaw, Atlantis principal, shared renderings of the project and said that Dollar Tree, and other existing businesses will remain tenants.
During the RCPG November 2 meeting, the board reviewed the plans. Shaw said the RCPG approved their application to redesign.
“The thing I think we need is another Kmart or Walmart or Target because a lot of people can't get down the hill like myself because I don't have a vehicle,” said Hutchings.
Shaw said the project will also include repaving the parking lot, adding landscape, and sprucing up the outside of the building.
“They have a lot of work ahead of them,” said Williams.
The Ramona Chamber of Commerce directed comments to the RCPG. The chair, Casey Lynch, says the board supports the project and excited to bring new businesses and revitalizing the shopping center.
CBS 8 confirmed with PetSmart that a lease has been signed and they plan to open in 2026, it all depends on the county building permits.
“I just want stuff that we need and that we are going to use. Five Below maybe, Marshall's is a good choice,” said Williams.
Shaw said a new Ramona Station is expected to be ready by the end of 2024.
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