It’s been well over a year since seven short-lived Haggen supermarkets shuttered in the South Bay — just a handful of the dozens of locations throughout Southern California that fell victim to the chain’s bankruptcy.

And while almost all of the local stores have reopened, mostly as Smart & Final markets, a new tenant has yet to emerge for the 34,648-square-foot location in north Redondo Beach.

The vacant store at 2115 Artesia Blvd., which for years was an Albertsons market, has become a source of frustration for residents who just want to be able to shop close to home again.

‘We’re working on it’

Despite months of rumors and speculation about a potential new tenant, the private owner of the property has not announced what could be on the horizon.

But she wants to assure neighbors that the store’s future has not been abandoned.

“There is interest and we’re working on it,” Ann Cali said Friday, though she would not discuss further details.

Albertsons will return to a former Haggen store on Western Avenue in San Pedro by early March, but the chain doesn’t have plans for the north Redondo Beach location, said spokeswoman Jenna Watkinson.

“It’s not one that we’ve acquired, but obviously, we would love to get back all of our stores,” she said.

Redondo Beach Councilwoman Laura Emdee, who represents the city’s northernmost district, said she has heard about several potential tenants taking interest, but negotiations seem to stall over pricing.

“People are frustrated that they don’t have a local grocery store, and they’re frustrated that we can’t do more, but it’s a private property owner, so our hands are tied,” Emdee said.

One thing the city has been doing is cracking down on code enforcement, said Community Development Director Aaron Jones.

“Probably once every two weeks, if not once a week, we have some issues to be addressed, like cleaning the site, weeds, fencing and occasional graffiti removal requests,” Jones said. “The owner has hired a property maintenance company.”

Lack of progress

District 4 Councilman Stephen Sammarco could not be reached, but he has expressed frustration with the lack of progress at City Council meetings.

So have north Redondo Beach residents and members of the business community.

“The grocery store is the main draw for any area and, just like an anchor store at the Galleria or another big mall, it attracts people and other businesses,” said John Gran, president of the North Redondo Beach Business Association.

Gran, who is running against Adam Wachter and Suzy Royds for Sammarco’s seat, said the lack of a grocery store is one of the biggest issues he hears about knocking on doors in north Redondo Beach.

“People are very disappointed and upset,” he said. “Elder folks from a number of senior living facilities would walk to that store. It was a convenience for everybody in the region just being able to pop on over there. It’s really a very, very missed property.”

Jones said he could not share the names of chains that have made “many inquiries” about the store, but confirmed negotiations are underway.

“We are really strongly encouraging the owner to quickly make a decision and eliminate this vacant property from Artesia,” he said.