New Target Coming To Downtown Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — Target plans to open a new, small-format store in downtown Evanston, the company announced Thursday. The store is projected to open in March 2018 and will be located in Sherman Plaza just north of the redesigned Fountain Square.

“We’ve been searching for the right location in Evanston for a Target store, so we’re thrilled to bring our small-format concept to downtown at The Shops at Sherman Plaza," said Target Senior Vice President for Properties Mark Schindele.

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Evanston's newly sworn-in Mayor Steve Hagerty welcomed the news, "The fact that a strong, national retailer like Target is opening a new store in downtown Evanston speaks volumes about the strength of our local economy."

Hagerty said the mix of commercial and residential real estate, public transportation options and the nearby pedestrian plaza project that will be completed before the Target opens makes the Sherman Plaza location "extremely desirable."

Target said it has signed a lease with a subsidiary of Highlands REIT, Inc for the store, which will be the company's 84th location in the Chicago area.

The Target and Highland teams "worked tirelessly in crafting and executing the lease," said Highlands Senior Managing Director Michael J. Broadfoot, describing it as "a true win-win proposition."

“We feel Target’s small-format store is the perfect strategic fit for our property, as well as downtown Evanston, and are confident this will be a fruitful long-term relationship between Evanston shoppers and Target,” said Farhan Ali, director, Highlands REIT, Inc.

Target has recently focused on opening customized smaller stores in denser urban areas and college towns, the company said. By the end of 2019, the Minneapolis-based retailer plans to operate more than 130 small-format stores.

The Evanston location will be its ninth small-format spot in the area. Planned future stores include Chicago Lakeview Belmont Station (opening in July), Oak Park (opening in October), Skokie (opening in October) and Chicago Lakeview Ashland (also in October.) A Rogers Park location will open in October 2018, Target said.

Top image | Rendering of planned Evanston Target | Courtesy Target