Despite the recent closure of more than a dozen Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market locations, plans for the grocer to anchor Claremont’s Peppertree Square are still “a go”, according to City Manager Tony Ramos and others aboard the project.

The national grocery chain announced the “temporary closure” of 12 of its stores last week, 7 of which are located in southern California. Stores temporarily shutting down operations within the next couple weeks include Anaheim, Baldwin Park, Bakersfield, Fountain Valley, Fresno, Hemet and Ontario.

Claremont’s Peppertree Square, located on the corner of a busy intersection in Claremont, remains an ideal space for the grocers.

“We [Fresh & Easy] are still looking to expand to a wide variety of neighborhoods where people are looking for more fresh food options,” said Brendan Wonnacott, a company spokesperson. “Claremont fits what we are looking for.”

Mr. Ramos remained confident in the construction of a Fresh & Easy at Peppertree as of late last week, and stated that he had “not been notified of any impact” that the closures may have on its construction.

“My impression is that [the recent closures] are independent of Fresh & Easy’s decision to locate here,” he said.

Complete story in the Wednesday edition.