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Target to open downtown store

Nov. 29, 2016 – Target Corporation has announced plans to open a store in October 2017 as part of the major redevelopment project under construction in downtown Oak Park on Lake Street just east of Harlem Avenue.

The 22,000-square-foot, flexible-format store will be part of the discount retailer’s growing number of smaller locations customized for urban and densely populated suburban areas, as well as college campuses.

“We are very excited to welcome Target to the heart of our downtown,” said Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu Taleb. “A retailer of Target’s reputation is an economic game changer not only for Oak Park, but also for our neighboring communities.”

The new Target location will anchor the mixed-use Elevate Oak Park project that includes 270 apartments, 26,000 square feet of retail space and a 424-space parking garage within a five-story building on Lake Street and a 20-story building on North Boulevard.

The project also includes a new block of Maple Avenue on the Lake Street site's western edge. The site will offer Target high-visibility space on both streets and easy customer access, including for those using the multi-mode public transportation station on North Boulevard that links the CTA, Metra and Pace.

According to Target, merchandise in its Oak Park location will be tailored to the local market, with a select assortment that includes groceries, cosmetic, skin and hair care products, men’s and women’s apparel and accessories, toys, home goods, electronics and tech accessories.

“This project demonstrates what can be achieved when working with a developer who shares a commitment to attracting investments that complement the local economy,” Mayor Abu Taleb added.  “We're pleased to be working with Clark Street Development on the Elevate Oak Park project to make Oak Park open for business."

In the news releases announcing the Oak Park project, Target Senior Vice President Mark Schindele said, “Target is focused on adding flexible-format stores in the Chicago area to make it easier for more guests to shop at Target. We look forward to providing the Oak Park community with a quick-trip shopping experience with product assortments that are unique to Target.”

Target currently operates 30 flexible-format stores, including four in the the Chicago area. Plans are to add add 25 more over the next three years, including three additional locations in Chicago in 2017.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Target as the anchor tenant to the Elevate Oak Park development,” said Andy Stein, principal of Clark Street Development LLC, which is developing the site in partnership with Lennar Multifamily Communities. “Target will be a great addition for the residents of Oak Park by providing a convenient shopping experience and great neighbor to the community.”

Elevate Oak Park is one of four major construction projects either nearing completion, well underway or soon to begin within blocks of Lake Street, adding new residential units, retail space and public parking to the mix of Oak Park's central business districts.

When the dust from construction settles, these four projects will add more than 830 residential units, 65,000 square feet of retail space and 1,400 new parking spaces from $242 million in private investment.

More information on these development projects is posted on the Village website.

Artist rendering of the Target coming to Lake Street, just east of Harlem Avenue