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Jungle Jim's International Market is looking to bring in at least three new tenants to his one-of-a-kind supermarket complex.

"Jungle" Jim Bonaminio said he has signed GE Credit Union to build a new facility on the northern end of the complex by Michael Lane. Using a baseball analogy, Bonaminio described his discussions with prospective tenants Chipotle and Panera Bread.

"GE Credit Union just walked over home plate. Chipotle is at third rounding into home and Panera is on first, thinking about stealing second," Bonaminio said. "I think Chipotle is a definite, Panera is really looking at it very, very seriously and we'll look at some other tenants to fill it in."

Bonaminio said Chipotle officials had called his office to set a signing date to build a facility.

The three businesses would sit on four acres by Michael Lane, which would leave Bonaminio about a dozen acres yet to be developed on his site.

"It's just a four-acre tract we're developing in the front area," Bonaminio said. "We have another 16 acres we haven't developed yet."

Panera is in the city at Cincinnati Mills Mall. Chipotle is at the mall but is in Forest Park. Both are also at Bridgewater Falls in Fairfield Twp.

"They're obviously recognizable names, major companies that would enter the Route 4 market place and attract new customer business," said Fairfield Economic Development Manager Greg Kathman. "I wish we had a few more Jungles that had the resources to take some of the older, dated properties to make them new attractive properties."

Bonaminio said these businesses will enhance the city and make it stronger.

"Fairfield needs them," he said.

Kathman wouldn't go so far as to say the city needs them, but said the city can certainly prosper from the "panache" of a Chipotle or Panera.

"With those two, there is a certain quality that's attractive to other national retailers," Kathman said, "so if you can get those named companies in, it can bring in other named companies."

GE Credit Union

GE Credit Union will open its new facility at Jungle Jim's International Market next summer, said CEO Pat Taylor.

"It's a great area. It's very visible," he said.

Taylor said the Jungle Jim's location on Ohio 4 at Michael Lane is centrally located for the 54-year-old credit union's membership. And now people who work, live, worship or attend schools in Butler County can become members of the credit union, which is a full service financial institution offering banking, insurance, car buying, mortgage, brokerage and legal services.

Taylor said he and his staff is doing their due diligence and plans to break ground in 30 to 60 days. He said it will take about a year to build the facility, which will be a similar footprint to the new Loveland GE Credit Union.

Jill Lingo, GE Credit Union marketing director, said their doors will be open to everyone in Butler County.

"We're very excited about moving into Butler County," she said.