Rumors about a Whole Foods Market opening in a portion of vacant J.C. Penney space at Bellevue Square ramped up again this week after residents reported being part of a phone survey telling them as such, but the supermarket chain tells the Reporter it has nothing to do with the ongoing research.

Bellevue-based Hebert Research has been contacting residents with a survey regarding the potential for a Whole Foods to open at the Penney site, which closed its roughly 200,000-square-foot store at Bellevue Square in November.

“We do a lot of research for various tenants who are considering moving into Bellevue Square or moving out of Bellevue Square,” said Jim Hebert, research firm CEO. “It’s just at this point in time to look at the level of interest. I know there’s no decision at this time.” He added responses have been positive, so far, but it is a long process.

Whole Foods marketing coordinator Susan Livingston tells the Reporter the supermarket chain is actively exploring expanding beyond its 19 stores in the Pacific Northwest — experiencing continued success with its Northeast Eighth location in Bellevue — but it was Bellevue Square owner Kemper Development Company that commissioned the Hebert Research study.

“Kemper actually commissioned that study, and what they’re trying to do is, it’s a feasibility study,” Livingston said, adding Whole Foods is being used only as an example by KDC to gauge interest in adding a grocery store there. “For many markets, Whole Foods sets the model for grocery that’s unique, and I think that’s why.”

The Whole Food marketing coordinator added she can’t confirm any potential future store sites, including Bellevue Square.

“We’re always interested, but I think the study is based on Kemper’s needs,” Livingston said.

A KDC spokesperson tells the Reporter the company is not able to comment about the J.C. Penney site as leasing is ongoing at this time. Kemper Development Company stated for an earlier story it expects to add a number of tenants in the old J.C. Penney space, which is expected to occur in fall or winter.

Clyde Hill resident Lyn Adams said the questions she was asked by Hebert Research included whether she shops at Whole Foods and if she would shop there more often if it changed its location to Bellevue Square.

“I don’t shop at Whole Foods, so for me it was pretty easy to say, ‘I don’t shop there,’ ” she said, adding fellow moms she discussed the questions with consider grocery shopping a chore. “We were all ‘ eew,’like grocery shopping in the mall? That’s kind of weird.’ “

Adams said the research group asked her questions about her interest in a Whole Foods that would let customers store their groceries while they finished their mall shopping and a will call, where their groceries would be delivered to their cars, “kind of like a little valet service.”