The latest rumor sweeping the city is that a Trader Joe’s grocery store is coming to Athens.

Apparently the lack of somewhat drinkable $3 wine in Athens has become a political issue, because mayoral candidate Brandon Shinholser is jumping on the bandwagon.

Shinholser released a letter today he says he sent to the president of Trader Joe’s. It reads, in part:

In recent months, there have been groups of individuals popping up all over Facebook. Some of those groups totaled as many as 1, 500 local members.

Local businesses, as well as individual patrons, are circulating petitions to show their support for making your company a part of our community. If there is any place that needs a Trader Joe's, any place that is ready for a Trader Joe's, any place that should have a Trader Joe's-it is Athens, Georgia.