Photo by Edmund John Dunn
As seen yesterday at Target on 14th and A... still not close to the March 17 merch spread as once seen at the (RIP!) Kmart on Astor Place...
Target did the same opening-before-the-expected date back in July 2018 on Avenue A and 14th Street.Union Square is getting a Target!
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 17, 2023
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
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
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
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.
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.”
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.
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.