In what might be the start of a new commercial era in Ocean Beach, a Target Express is poised to replace the 18,000-square-foot Antique Center on Newport Avenue. 
“Target is taking over on April 20,” confirmed Tony Franco of Franco Realty Group, the commercial broker representing the Antique Center property.
“Target is always exploring possible locations for new stores. We’re continuing to pursue the site on Newport Avenue in the Ocean Beach neighborhood, and don’t have anything more to share at this time,” said Target spokesperson Jacqueline DeBuse, from Target’s headquarters in Minnesota.
City officials, however, said the Target deal is conditioned on a shared parking agreement to be worked out between Target and South Beach Bar and Grill at 5059 Newport Ave.
“Target is required to show the parking spaces that are subject to the shared parking agreement for South Beach Bar and Grill,” said Scott Robinson, senior city public information officer. “Target can move in and occupy the space, subject to the shared parking agreement, which requires parking for South Beach from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. The shared parking agreement does not preclude Target from operating at this location.”
Added Robinson, “South Beach Bar and Grill is in the process of identifying parking to change the location of their shared parking.”
As of press time, South Beach Bar and Grill had not replied to messages from the Peninsula Beacon asking for further comment.
Robinson said Target has submitted a building permit for interior improvements in the former Antique Center. According to a building permit filed by Target with the city’s Development Services Department, tenant improvements are planned in the existing commercial building at 4850 Newport Ave. Those improvements are to include new partitions and doors, installation of freezers and coolers, a new roof assembly and drains, as well as building facade modifications. Building, electrical and plumbing permits are also required.
Local reaction to Target coming to Ocean Beach was mostly one of resignation.
Denise Knox, executive director of Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, the beach community’s business improvement district, said she was meeting with Target this week.
“Target is definitely starting their remodel soon after Antique Center closes,” said Knox, though she noted, prior to meeting with Target, that, “There’s nothing new to report at this point that we didn’t know five or six months ago.”
“The community has very little recourse in this situation,” said John Ambert, immediate past chair of Ocean Beach Planning Board. “The more pressing issue is how the shared parking agreement gets resolved with DSD and the South Beach restaurant because that will dictate the antique mall’s process.”
“We’re going out of business, April 15 will be our last day,” said Scott Aguilar, co-owner, along with Craig Gerwin, of the Antique Center.
Aguilar said the news is not all bad for the Antique Center’s dealers. “Most of the dealers are staying in the area, and relocating to a place called Consignment Classics down near the Sports Arena,” he said. “Some have relocated along the block here as well.”
Serving San Diego County since 1997, Consignment Classics at 1895 Hancock St. offers a large selection of new and used furniture and quality home goods, home furnishings and other consignment services at bargain prices.
Aguilar admitted it will be hard to leave both Ocean Beach and antiques. “We have been here 24 years,” he said, noting its been increasingly hard to remain in the antique business.
“You don’t see a lot of antique stores down by the coast, because there is just not a lot of markup,” Aguilar said. “It’s tough to keep the dealers new and to have pretty reasonable rents, which we’ve tried to maintain.”
On a personal note, Aguilar said, “A lot of people shopped here for a long time and we made a lot of friends. We’re going to miss the community greatly.”
Consignment Classics can be reached at 619-272-6245.