CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The former Patelco Credit Union building at 5499 Sunrise Boulevard at the corner of Uplands Way may have a “sweet” future ahead of it.

A building permit application by San Diego-based Schuss Clark Brandon Architects Inc. of San Diego on August 11^th on behalf of their client, See’s Candies, headquartered in South San Francisco, is described as “tenant improvements to an existing building.”

The permit application was returned to the architect on August 16^th by the Citrus Heights building department with comment for further review.

“Our review of their application was quick,” said Susan McLendon, development services technician for the city building department. “The city had some specific concerns we wanted the architect to address and we’re looking forward to their reply.”

Schuss Clark Brandon has designed several ground-up retail centers and tenant improvement spaces, according to its website. As of now, the project is on a tentative hold pending the resolution of a landlord-client issue, said a representative of Schuss Clark Brandon Architects, Inc. in a telephone interview.

Patelco Credit Union in Citrus Heights closed its two-story branch office at 5499 Sunrise Boulevard at the corner of Uplands Way on Friday, July 22^nd and has since moved to a new location in the Marketplace at Birdcage, 6100 Birdcage Lane, Suite 125.

Branch manager Crickett Luna said at the time of the credit union’s July move to Birdcage in Citrus Heights that a considerable amount of office furniture and other furnishings were left behind in the former branch on Sunrise Boulevard for re-use by the new owners.

The two-story, 10,000-square foot former bank building was built in 1978. Bank offices were located on the second floor. The branch also featured two drive-up banking lanes which may be repurposed for retail sales according to an initial drawing.

Nearby local businesses include a Boston’s Pizza across the street along Sunrise Boulevard and a nearby Olive Garden Restaurant.

See’s Candies has had a retail store at 5962 Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights since the mall’s opening in 1972. Store management said they had been asked about the pending new location in the former credit union branch and referred all comments to See’s corporate office in South San Francisco.

Susan Portman, corporate director of public relations at See’s Candies corporate office did not respond to a request for further comment concerning the planned Citrus Heights new location.

The company founded by Charles See, his wife Florence, and his mother Mary in Los Angeles, California in 1921. See’s Candies retail shop locations typically feature a candy counter where customers can either create their own custom-mixed box of chocolates and candies to order or purchase boxed chocolates, truffles, nuts and chews, lollipops, and sugar free candy.