Construction Underway on Ramona Station: Revitalizing the Former Kmart Site in San Diego County
Ramona, a growing unincorporated community in San Diego County's backcountry, is seeing new life breathed into one of its long-vacant landmarks. The former Kmart at 1855 Main Street—empty since 2020—is undergoing a major transformation into Ramona Station, a multi-tenant retail center. Construction officially kicked off in late 2025, marking the end of years of planning and anticipation for this key commercial hub. At Cali Dream Construction, we spotlight projects like this that repurpose existing structures and boost local economies. Here's the full breakdown on what's happening, who's involved, and what shoppers can expect.
Project Location and History
The site sits prominently on Main Street (State Route 67/78) in central Ramona, a rural-yet-accessible area about 35 miles northeast of downtown San Diego.
- Address: 1855 Main Street, Ramona, CA
- Original Building: Approximately 100,000 square feet, built as a Kmart big-box store
- Closure: Kmart shuttered in 2020 amid company-wide changes
- Sale: Property transferred to Ramona Station LLC in 2022 for $7.3 million
The vacancy had been a topic of community discussion for years, with earlier proposals surfacing as far back as 2023.
Key Players and Development Team
The redevelopment is a collaborative effort focused on adaptive reuse.
Ramona Station LLC and Tourmaline Capital (handling project management and construction oversight) are working with John Ardigo, Director of Construction at Tourmaline Capital. Atlantis Group Land Use Consultants (earlier phases) has Reviewed and recommended by the Ramona Community Planning Group, Ramona Design Review Board, and final decisions by San Diego County
Plans received approvals from local boards in 2023, paving the way for permits and financing.
Work started on the facade in November 2025, with crews focusing on exterior updates first.
Confirmed Tenants Bringing Fresh Retail Options
Ramona residents have been vocal about needing more shopping variety, and these anchors deliver:
- Marshalls: Approximately 23,002 square feet – off-price apparel and home goods
- Grocery Outlet Bargain Market: Around 18,000 square feet – discount groceries
- PetSmart: About 9,470 square feet – pet supplies and services
- Five Below: Roughly 17,332 square feet – affordable trendy items for teens and families
These brands were identified as frontrunners early in planning and are now locked in for the revamp.
Timeline and Progress Updates
After delays common in post-pandemic commercial projects, momentum has picked up.
Planning Milestones: Initial presentations in 2023; approvals from Design Review Board (October 2023) and Community Planning Group (November 2023)
Construction Start: Late 2025 (facade work underway as of November 2025)
Target Opening: End of summer 2026 for shops to welcome customers
John Ardigo noted in recent statements: “We’re excited to work with the community of Ramona to enhance the local shopping opportunities here.”
For the latest visuals, check renderings in the San Diego Union-Tribune coverage at sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/11/10/construction-is-underway-on-long-awaited-ramona-station-project-at-former-kmart-site.
Community Impact and Broader Context for San Diego
Ramona Station addresses a gap in everyday retail for the area's 20,000+ residents, reducing drives to Poway or Escondido for basics. It joins other 2025-2026 projects in Ramona, like a new Starbucks and Children's Paradise Day Care, signaling steady growth in this wine-country community.
The project aligns with San Diego County's focus on revitalizing unincorporated areas through private investment—no major public funding noted here.
At Cali Dream Construction, repurposing big-box sites like this one is a win for sustainability and local vibrancy—fewer new foundations mean faster timelines and less disruption. Whether you're a Ramona homeowner eyeing commercial upgrades or just tracking East County progress, this one's worth watching. For insights on retail remodels or adaptive reuse in San Diego County, visit our services page. More backcountry build updates coming soon—because in Ramona, even old Kmarts get a stylish second act.
