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Target initially announced plans to reopen the former Gala independent grocery store, which closed in October, following an extensive remodel in July 2015 as a TargetExpress, a condensed version of a typical Target store.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe news of Target stalling its move to South Park has been anticipated by the members of the NMA and Care About South Park for some time now,\u201d said NMA President Mark Arabo. \u201cWe will continue to work with the owner of Gala Foods to see what measures can be considered so that the residents of South Park are dutifully served.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arabo said interested parties are exploring possible options in \u201cputting a stop to the rise of corporate influence in South Park.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, while there were many detractors, and numerous challenges, I am happy to say that the little guy\u00a0has won the day,\u201d Arabo said. \u201cWe look forward to continue working with both the small-business community, and neighborhoods, to make a better San Diego.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not want a TargetExpress in our neighborhood, and we hope Target is having second thoughts about coming to South Park,\u201d said Care About South Park spokesperson Sabrina DiMinico, who noted the neighborhood is not anti-Target but rather pro-small business.<\/p>\n
\u201cSouth Park\u2019s local independent shops and markets are the very reason people want to visit and live here,\u201d DiMinico said. \u201cIf a Target store occupies our largest and most visible property, our neighborhood will lose its charm and vitality, and our small businesses will suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n
DiMinico argued that a new corporate entity in South Park could change the community\u2019s character. She added that the corporation needs to be more forthcoming to the community about its plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cCorporate reps have met with some South Park business owners and have conferred with hand-selected residents in private, but they have only attended two public meetings open to the entire community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
DiMinico said Target’s appearance Oct. 8 at the Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee meeting was \u201cunannounced to give an unscheduled presentation.\u201d<\/p>\n
She claimed Target didn’t listen when it appeared at the Dec. 17 Burlingame Neighborhood Association gathering where \u201cmany residents clearly stated their opposition to a Target in South Park.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTarget is now stalling on the release of their renovation plans,\u201d claimed DiMinico noting the Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee \u201ctried repeatedly to get Target on their January meeting agenda, but this required advance submission of preliminary plans and drawings, and Target refused to comply.\u201d<\/p>\n
DiMinico said Target has repeatedly requested community feedback, but when asked to actually provide their plans to the community and follow planning group rules, they \u201crefuse and tell us it’s a \u2018courtesy\u2019 that they are sharing information with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emmons said previously that Target is\u00a0\u201ccommitted to partnering with local community, business and political leaders, as well as neighborhood groups, and keeping them informed as we move forward with our South Park TargetExpress store.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of the TargetExpress features are proposed to include:<\/p>\n
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- A wider assortment of basic hardware supplies, an unmet community need<\/li>\n
- Commissioning a local artist to create artwork inside the store<\/li>\n
- Organic produce sourced from California whenever possible<\/li>\n
- Maintaining the building as it currently stands on the property<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Emmons reiterated plans for the new TargetExpress do not include a Starbucks outlet that might compete with existing independent businesses in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on feedback from the community, we will not make architectural or structural changes to the exterior of the building, and will make updates to the interior,\u201d Emmons said. \u201cWe will play up the building\u2019s natural light by removing the existing window blinds. Additionally, once the store opens, we will continue to apply things we\u2019ve learned from the community, such as adding baking supplies, belts and sunglasses based on guest feedback.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emmons said Target has been, and will continue to be, responsive to the community in listening to their concerns and acting upon them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe TargetExpress store format is designed to fit into the communities that surround the stores, and part of ensuring that happens is listening to our local guests,\u201d she said. \u201dWhile we are still in the early stages, what we\u2019ve heard from the South Park community has already influenced our plans for the store.\u201d<\/p>\n