Trader Joe’s in San Ramon?

"Bring Trader Joe's to San Ramon. Perfect location: 9100 Alcosta Blvd--former Le Asia Market. Go to their website and put in a request."

This was a common post seen all over San Ramon residents' Facebook pages within hours after Le Asia closed last month. And it looks like the City agrees.

"Trader Joe's is one of the key retailers we want to attract to fill that space," said Marc Fontes, director of the city's Economic Development Department.

Fontes said that a large grocery chain like Safeway would be unlikely to move into Le Asia's old spot in the Country Club Village Shopping Center on Alcosta Boulevard. And, given the size--55,000 square feet--it's unlikely that a smaller retailer like Trader Joe's would want to move into such a large space, either.

But the city is working on a solution: "We could divide the space into separate retail spots to accommodate two or three key retailers," said Fontes. "We could create a two or three tenant package."

Although bringing in Trader Joe's tops the city's wish list, Fontes said that Trader Joe's is not doing much expansion in California in 2010. So, although the city is not giving up on that popular chain, it's looking elsewhere, too.

Other options include specialty grocers like Sprouts Farmers Market or Henrys Farmers Market or possibly even BevMo, said Fontes.

The city's economic development department is currently working with Walnut Creek's John Cumbelich & Associates, a commercial real estate firm representing the Kroger retail corporation, which still holds the lease for that property.

Residents can go ahead and submit a location request on Trader Joe's web site. Fontes recommends that residents not go overboard in their attempts to woo Trader Joe's: Too much pestering irritates Trader Joe's and it's been known to snub those who go after the sought-after grocery chain too aggressively.