On Union Square, Target debuts ahead of its announced opening day

Photos by Steven

 

The Target at 10 Union Square East opened its doors on Tuesday night... five days before its announced Oct. 22 debut (and 15 hours before the Wegmans grand opening on Astor Place).

Oh, and the mayor was in on the scoop...

Union Square is getting a Target!

This unveiling symbolizes a key trend in our city’s economy. We're not coming back — we ARE back. This convenient location is going to bring jobs, foot traffic, and revenue to one of New York City’s most iconic areas. pic.twitter.com/f58f1eForI

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 17, 2023

Target did the same opening-before-the-expected date back in July 2018 on Avenue A and 14th Street. 

The 33,000-square-foot store (the EV location is 27,000 square feet, FYI) includes a CVS pharmacy and all the other stuff you'd expect to find at Target. Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Anyway! To recap the Union Square story...This outpost in the base of the Zeckendorf Towers has been in the making for nearly four years.

In February 2020, news broke (via the Post) that Target had signed a lease for space that the Food Emporium had... the grocer shut down in May 2021. 

As previously noted, the space that was once pub-crawl hotspot SideBar on the SW corner of 15th Street and Irving Place is now part of the retailer's footprint. 

This opening comes several days before the East Harlem location closes because of reports of thefts and organized retail crime threatening the safety of employees and customers. 

Target sets opening-day bullseye on Oct. 22

The Target at 10 Union Square East in the base of the Zeckendorf Towers will debut on Oct. 22, the company announced. (PIX 11 first noted it.) 

"As we get closer to opening the store, we'll have more specific details to share – including how the shopping experience will be tailored to serve local guests," a Target spokesperson said.  

This outpost has been in the making for three-plus years.

In February 2020, news broke (via the Post) that Target had signed a lease for a 33,000-square-foot store here. The current tenant, Food Emporium, had a lease until April 2023. Ultimately, the grocer shut down early — in May 2021. 

As previously noted, the space that was once pub-crawl hotspot SideBar on the SW corner of 15th Street and Irving Place is now part of the retailer's footprint. 

The 27,000-square-foot Target, a few blocks to the east on 14th Street and Avenue A, opened in July 2018.

And the Oct. 22 Target launch comes four days after the expected debut of Wegmans on Astor Place.

Target makes it signage official on Union Square

Workers today are putting up the coming-soon signage for Target at 10 Union Square East in the base of the Zeckendorf Towers. (Thanks to @AshmiNYC for sharing via Twitter!)

No word on an opening date... though this location is hiring for various positions.

And to recap... in February 2020, news broke (via the Post) that Target had signed a lease for a 33,000-square-foot store here. The current tenant, Food Emporium, had a lease until April 2023. Ultimately, the grocer shut down early — in May 2021. 

As previously noted, the space that was once pub-crawl hotspot SideBar on the SW corner of 15th Street and Irving Place is now part of this Target footprint... where demolition got underway in the summer of 2021. 

Meanwhile, the Target on 14th Street and Avenue A turns 5 this month.

Taking a look inside the incoming Target on Union Square

Work continues over at 10 Union Square East in the base of the Zeckendorf Towers ... where a Target is slated to open later this year. 

Plywood now covers some of the windows... and with handy blogger portals that offer views of the under-construction interior...

To recap!

In February 2020, news broke (via the Post) that Target had signed a lease for a 33,000-square-foot store here. The current tenant, Food Emporium, had a lease until April 2023. Ultimately, the grocer shut down early — in May 2021. 

As previously noted, the space that was once pub-crawl hotspot SideBar on the SW corner of 15th Street and Irving Place is now part of the Target. 

The company's "Future store openings" page doesn't mention a specific opening date. Or even a year. Previous media accounts put the debut at later 2023.

Meanwhile, the Target on 14th Street and Avenue A is coming up on its fifth anniversary. We're looking forward to seeing who might be playing at TRGT on this occasion!

Preview 2023: Target Union Square

Back in February 2020, news broke (via the Post) that Target had signed a lease for a 33,000-square-foot outpost at 10 Union Square East in the base of the Zeckendorf Towers. However, the takeover wasn't going to take place until 2023.

That sure seemed like a like way off... and the current tenant at the time, Food Emporium, had a lease until April 2023. Ultimately, the grocer shut down early — in May 2021. 

Meanwhile, unlike Wegmans on Astor Place, who placed signage here the same day they announced the Kmart takeover in July 2021, there wasn't any coming-in-2023 notice for the new Target.

While there still isn't any Target branding at the under-construction site, this location is now on the company's "Future store openings" page...

In walking around the Zeckendorf Towers, it appears the space that was once pub-crawl hotspot SideBar on the SW corner of 15th Street and Irving Place has been incorporated into the incoming Target...

No official word about an opening date, though the construction sign on the 15th Street side notes an August 2023 completion date...

Target opened on 14th Street and Avenue A in July 2018 ... complete with a replica CBGB storefront — called TRGT. 

Gutting the former Food Emporium on Union Square

While waiting for the second half of 2023 for the Wegmans to open on Astor Place... here's a quick look inside the former Food Emporium on 14th Street in the base of the Zeckendorf Towers. 

Workers have gutted the interior ...

... and someone punched out the front door...

As you likely know, a Target is slated for this space. Lois Weiss at the Post first reported on the deal in February 2020. At the time, Food Emporium was expected to be here until April 2023, with Target arriving by the end of the year, per the article. 

While this location is listed on Target's future store locations, there isn't any update about an amended opening timetable. 

Food Emporium closed on May 29.

The Union Square Food Emporium looks to be closing at the end of May

The Food Emporium at 10 Union Square East will close on May 30, according to a WARN notice filed on Feb. 25 with the New York State Department of Labor. 

While the closure of the supermarket isn't a complete surprise, its timing is. In February 2020, Lois Weiss at the Post reported that Target has signed a lease for the 32,579 square feet here on 14th Street. However, the Food Emporium was said to stay here through the end of April 2023.

Sources told Weiss that, despite the wait, Target wanted to lock in the location along 14th Street. The nearly 16-year lease had an asking rent of $183 per square foot, she reported.

The WARN filing says that the Food Emporium lease is expiring. The closure will impact 50 employees, per the notice. 

In December 2015, Key Food acquired the Food Emporium banner name and related intellectual property assets, per published reports.

This will mark the departure of yet another traditional grocery store in the area. Associated closed on 14th Street in Stuy Town in December 2019.

H/T Bayou! EVG file photo.

Noted

🙄 

Spotted on the plywood at Target on 14th Street and Avenue A this evening ... photo by Lola Sáenz...

Sunday evening at Target

Workers were seen boarding up the windows at the Target on 14th Street and Avenue A this evening ... as several businesses brace for another night of possible protests... photo by Jackflashnyc...

Updated:

Jackflashnyc also noted plywood going up at Whole Foods on 14th Street and Union Square...



... and the Sweetgreen on University Place...

There's now a Twitter account that will let you know about the lines outside Trader Joe's and Target on 14th Street

With the possibility of rain, the line outside of Trader Joe’s extends maybe 15 people. Shorter than I’ve seen in a while. #EastVillage

— EV TJs and Target Line (@EV_TJsAndTarget) April 21, 2020

The account launched on Monday, for anyone who may want some neighborly info to save time standing in a line. Per the description: "Headed to the Trader Joe’s or Target on 14th St and Ave A? We’ll let you know how the line looks. Not a bot, just two people stuck in self isolation."

2:30pm : No line at Trader Joe’s, and 8 people at Target.

— EV TJs and Target Line (@EV_TJsAndTarget) April 21, 2020

At opening, the Trader Joe’s line is backed up to Dion Cleaners, but they aren’t very spread apart. Target has no line.

— EV TJs and Target Line (@EV_TJsAndTarget) April 22, 2020

The Trader Joe’s line shifted directions and is now at Dion Cleaners at Ave A.

— EV TJs and Target Line (@EV_TJsAndTarget) April 21, 2020

Report: Target will replace the Food Emporium in Union Square — in 2023

[EVG photo from 2015]

ICYMI: Lois Weiss at the Post yesterday reported that Target is taking over the Food Emporium space at 10 Union Square East in the base of the Zeckendorf Towers. However, the takeover won't happen until 2023.

Per Weiss:

While Target has just signed a lease for 32,579 square feet at 10 Union Square East, the space is still occupied by the Food Emporium until the end of April in 2023.

Despite the wait, sources said Target wanted to lock in the location along East 14th Street. The nearly 16-year lease had an asking rent of $183 per square foot.

In December 2015, Key Food acquired the Food Emporium banner name and related intellectual property assets, per published reports.

This will mark the departure of yet another traditional grocery store in the area. Associated closed on 14th Street in Stuy Town in December, a location very close to the Target that opened in July 2018.

Bright Horizons bringing child care to EVGB

Construction continues at 524 E. 14th St. in the retail spaces at EVGB, the newish residential complex between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Posted permits note that the work is for a day care center ...



Updated: Paperwork shows that this will be another outpost of Bright Horizons, one of the country's largest child-care providers. (H/T Upper West Sider!)

This is the first retail tenant for this address...



The day care center joins Target, which opened in EVGB's corner spot at Avenue A last summer.

According to listings at Newmark Knight Frank, these storefronts are part of what's being billed as "the East Village's most dynamic block."



There's another storefront for lease next to the day care center at No. 524. There's also the space directly adjacent to the Target in the building at No. 500.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

Target offers details about its flexible-format store opening summer 2018 on 14th and A

The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

Up to 4 more retail spaces available to join Target on 14th Street

New Lower East Side Target grandly opens today

EVG regulars Vinny & O shared these photos from the new Target store, which is holding its grand opening celebration today at Grand and Clinton on the Lower East Side. (This outpost officially debuted back on Wednesday.)



Targeters are handing out a variety of freebies ... and there are photo opps with a giant pair of red Target sunglasses.

Not to be found: An homage to the Lower East Side with a CBGB-themed TRGT storefront, which was the widely panned centerpiece of the grand opening on 14th Street and Avenue A last month.

As the Lo-Down reported on Wednesday:

Jacqueline DeBuse, a Target PR rep, indicated that no similar publicity stunts are planned on Grand Street. “We know with the East Village grand opening,” said DeBuse, “some guests loved it, and others felt we missed the mark. So we really listened to that feedback as we were preparing the opening for this store.”

The Target is one of the retail tenants in the 15-story development at Essex Crossing Site 5 — aka The Rollins. A Trader Joe's is set to open in this complex later in the fall.

Up to 4 more retail spaces available to join Target on 14th Street

In case you missed the hoopla, Target opened last Wednesday on 14th Street and Avenue A. (Recaps of what transpired on Saturday with the store's homage to the neighborhood's past can be found at the following outlets, among others: Racked ... Noisey ... Pitchfork ... The New York Times ... Jezebel ... Vice ... Forbes ... The Architect's Newspaper ... Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal ...)

So that takes care of just one of the retail spaces in the new EVGB residential complex at 500 and 524 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

There are potentially two more storefronts for rent adjacent to Target...



...and two more at No. 524 toward Avenue B...


[Confusing, because this photo is looking to the west]

Newmark Knight Frank has the listings... the storefronts are part of what's being billed as "the East Village's most dynamic block" ...







Perhaps in the future we will see a CVS No Rio (that is @danieltbrennan's joke!) or a Sam's Club 57.

Also, on the north side of Avenue A, we're still waiting to learn what's coming to the retail space in the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office... Trader Joe's still? Doesn't seem like the best time for any business to open with the ongoing L-train entrance work ...



Anyway, in case you needed a reminder of Target's arrival... along Avenue A...





... or Sixth Street and First Avenue...



... or 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...



... or The Weather Channel app...

Noted

Workers are setting up for a sidewalk extravaganza outside the just-opened Target store on 14th Street and Avenue A... which includes a replica CBGB storefront — called TRGT...





A few readers have already chimed in about this via email (one with a subject line LOL) ... early, unscientific consensus is that this storefront homage is wholly unnecessary.

Updated noon:

Pinch shared this photo of the sidewalk event — complete with wrapping reminiscent of tenement buildings — on 14th Street here at EVGB — the "East Village's Greatest Building" ...



Updated 2:30 p.m.

Brooklyn Vegan paid a visit to the faux storefronts ... erected just for today as part of the Target's official grand opening.

Most notably, this includes an homage to CBGB, with “TRGT” in the old Bowery punk venue’s classic font (with “BANDS” in smaller font right below it), and display windows sporting TRGT t-shirts, “rock on” foam hands, and poster that said “The Resistance.” You couldn’t actually buy that stuff from the stand but, wink wink, they did have “bands” in the form of free boxes Band-Aids and exercise bands with the Target logo on them. Right next to the TRGT was a little stage with a “Battle of the Bands” banner and an oversized novelty Target bass guitar for selfie-ing. I did not enquire about the bathrooms.

Updated 8 p.m.

EVG reder Lola Sáenz shared these photos from the afternoon grand-opening event...





Updated 9 p.m.

Jeremiah Moss has a post on this at Vanishing New York... describing it as "the most deplorable commodification of local neighborhood culture I’ve ever witnessed."

Updated 7/25:

Target issues an apology.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

Target offers details about its flexible-format store opening summer 2018 on 14th and A

The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

Target opens ahead of schedule on 14th Street and Avenue A

Oh! Target had targeted (haha) July 21 for their Grand Opening on 14th Street and Avenue A ... in the corner space of Extell Development's EVGB — the "East Village's Greatest Building."

But! They actually opened their doors to their small-format store this morning.

EVG reader Greg Masters noticed this ... and was one of the first customers in the space.

Insta-reaction:

It’s a nice, clean two-level store with escalators and friendly employees. Well stocked with a bit of everything – stationery, hardware, clothes, household goods, towels and sheets, beauty supplies, paper products, appliances, including a 32” Sanyo smart TV for $169, food.

Beer section was a bit of a disappointment: just Bud, Yuengling, Corona, Pabst, no microbrews (tip: for a tastier selection, see Martin Johnson at Westside Market on 3rd Avenue between 11th Street 12th Street). Easy self-checkout or cashiers await.

And photos of what's in stock...









... and the food area (which is in the back on the main level)...















... and here's the East Village Mural at check-out...





Previously on EV Grieve:
Target is hiring on 14th Street and Avenue A

Time to rent at EVGB, where studios ('lofts') start at $3,695

Target offers details about its flexible-format store opening summer 2018 on 14th and A

Breaking (pretty much!): Target is coming to 14th Street and Avenue A (55 comments)

More on Target, and a look at its incoming home on 14th Street and Avenue A

Extell's new development at 524 E. 14th St. launches lottery for 50 affordable units

New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street