Hanson's Market Back On?

The saga continues as to whether the allusive Hanson's Market will land in Little Italy or not. A few months after the organic grocer decided to pull out, it appears it's back on.

The evidence of the on-again opening is blatant, with an Eater tipster sending in this picture of the sign (which had been previously taken down). Eater gave a ring to the San Clemente headquarters, and an employee said a September opening was likely at the planned space at Ariel Suites (701 W. Beech Street).

It'll have competition, however, from an incoming Italian specialty store. Roma Market, which was established in Pasadena in 1953, is gearing up to open two blocks away.

In the mean time, Little Italy residents had been eagerly waiting for Hanson's Market to take shape. The natural grocery store still intends to occupy the space between Pan Bon and the new culinary hot spot Bracero, which just debuted.

In December, the market posted a Facebook update--its most recent to date--sharing the plans for the two story layout that included a street level grocery and breakfast/juice bar and an upper level dining area and deli with beer and wine on tap.

It was early spring when plans fell through for the grocer and Colliers International listed the 9,953-square-foot, two level space. The entrance sits on a prime stretch of Kettner Boulevard and includes on-site parking.