Target launches new west-side store

Nearly three years after news of its plans to open a second store in the Queen City was announced, Target has taken its place as the anchor tenant of a west-side retail development.

City of Springfield officials joined Target leadership and staff at a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 10 to mark the launch of the big-box retailer’s 148,000-square-foot store at the corner of Sunshine Street and West Bypass as part of the Sunshine Towne Centre. The event was in advance of the store’s planned grand opening on March 15. A soft opening is being held March 11-14, according to store officials.

Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) just earlier this month opened its 2,000th store companywide in North Carolina, part of its plan to debut 30 new locations this year, according to its website.

“What you see here tonight is a result of a tremendous amount of hardworking leaders and team members who have poured their energy, care and commitment in bringing this store to life,” said Thomas Moore, store director, prior to cutting the ribbon. “They have built something special for Springfield, and I cannot be more proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

Moore is a Target veteran, beginning work with the retailer in 2009 and working his way up to store director of the Branson location, he said. The longtime Ozarks resident, who earned a bachelor’s in business management, followed by a master’s in business administration – both from Missouri State University – now leads a team of 180 employees in Springfield.

“We are proud to be here. We are proud to be part of Springfield, and we are excited to welcome you in,” Moore said.

Amanda Ohlensehlen, who directs Springfield’s Department of Workforce and Economic Vitality, also spoke at the event, providing remarks on behalf of the city and Mayor Jeff Schrag, who was unable to attend.

“We want to thank the entire Target team for choosing Springfield and for your investment in this location,” Ohlensehlen said. “Target has long been a brand that communities trust, not only as a place to shop, but also as a company that invests in neighborhoods, supports local initiatives and creates quality jobs. The opening of this store brings more employment opportunities, expanded retail options for our residents, and additional energy to one of Springfield’s key commercial corridors.”

Target officials declined to disclose costs for the new Target location at 3444 W. Sunshine St., which is based on the company’s Northstar Prototype, roughly 20,000 square feet larger than the chain’s average store. Springfield’s first Target store, which opened in 1996 at 1825 E. Primrose St., is roughly 125,000 square feet, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

The larger-format store includes an expanded grocery area as well as a Starbucks, CVS Pharmacy, a small-scale Apple shop and a large fulfillment area with curbside order pickup, store officials say. St. Louis-based S.M. Wilson & Co. was general contractor and Benchmark Group Inc. was architect for the project.

Sunshine Towne Centre developer Springfield West Partners LLC sold property within the commercial subdivision for undisclosed terms to Target Corp. in late 2023, according to past SBJ reporting. Springfield West Partners comprises Curtis Jared, president and CEO of Jared Enterprises Inc., and St. Louis-area developer Tom Walker.

An expanded version of this article is scheduled to be published in Springfield Business Journal’s March 16 print edition.