Amazon May Be Mystery Tenant Opening In Eagan, Burnsville: Report

The mystery “national grocer” planning to open stores in both Eagan and Burnsville may be Mendel-a name that Amazon has used in marketing Amazon Fresh stores across the country, according to a report in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

Mendel’s logo was shown in project plans submitted to Burnsville by the owner of the shopping center.

Burnsville City Planner Deb Garross told the Pioneer Press and planning commission members that she has not been told the identity of the mystery tenant.

Bud Roberts, a member of the Planning Commission, told the paper he wondered why the tenant was including "Mendel" on the signage

Amazon has opened five Amazon Fresh stores in California since August as well as two stores in Illinois-with one more underway, the report says.

Amazon’s name did not appear in documents submitted to the City of Burnsville by the owner of the shopping center, nor did the corporation respond to Pioneer Press’ inquiries for comment.

The Eagan City Council approved a plan submitted by Ryan Cos. in November to demolish two structures and build on the Southeast corner of Yankee Doodle Road and Denmark Avenue. The signage in these plans uses "tenant" unlike the Burnsville plans which used "Mendel," the report says.

“The grocer that we’re proposing to bring to the city of Eagan through this project is an essential service retailer that’s really at the forefront of developing a platform that’s different from any other essential retailer that’s in the community today,” Patrick Daley, a lead developer of Ryan Cos, told Pioneer Press.

Daley said he could not spill who the “unique, one-of-a-kind national grocer” is.

Read the full story at The Pioneer Press.