Fresh and Easy Rumor Update, and Kirkman Lanterns Opens on Main Street

On the question of new tenants for the former Foodland building, Brendan Wonacott, Corporate Communications Director for Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market, told Patch on April 5, “It’s too early to confirm anything, but we are looking in the area.”

Patch also asked Melissa Holland, marketing assistant in the Public Relations Department of Big 5 Sporting Goods, about her company's possible intentions in Ramona.

“I have no information on that," she said. That’s news to me.”

Ramona Patch spoke to Carole Wylie, chair of the Ramona Community Planning Group’s Design Review Board, which would have to review possible new tenants for such buildings. Wylie said, “We have not heard from anyone in those companies so far. We have not reviewed either one of those companies.”

In other business news, W. T. Kirkman’s Lanterns had its soft opening on April 1. The showroom and storehouse is now fully up and running at it’s new building on Main Street, according to co-owner Dawn Kirkman.

She said visitors on opening day came from as far away as Pasadena and Anaheim.

Services include the lamp repair business transferred from Victoria Supply. 

“Yes, Bill is here,” said Kirkman, referring to Bill Hubler, who has provided lamp repair services to Ramona clients for over a decade. 

Patch has previously reported that Victoria Supply is closing its Main Street store to take its retail business to the Internet.