<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0pqP5t_0vlfVgw100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0pqP5t_0vlfVgw100" width="1920" height="1080" ><figcaption>It's two floors, with an escalator, aka the dream. Photo: Arika Herron/Axios</figcaption></figure>For a few brief but beautiful days, I got to live out one of my wildest dreams — eating, sleeping and working within walking distance of a downtown Target.Why it matters: The departure of major department stores predated the pandemic, but it continues to present gaping holes among downtown Indy's vacant storefronts — depressing downtown's post-pandemic rebound.The big picture: Target is one of the nation's largest and most popular department stores, particularly among Millenials (like me) and Gen Zers.<ul><li>The Minneapolis-based retailer operates 11 Indianapolis-area stores.</li></ul>Yes, but: Despite years of hoping, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072166616562">wishing</a> and <a href="https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/arts-and-culture/circle-city/target-store-downtown/">gossiping</a>, we still don't have one downtown.<ul><li>Supposedly, <a href="https://www.ibj.com/articles/target-no-longer-eyeing-circle-centre-for-downtown-store">there was a tentative deal</a> to land a Target in the former Carson's department store at the corner of Meridian and Washington streets in the Circle Centre Mall, but that fell apart in 2019.</li><li>Over the years, <a href="https://indyimby.wordpress.com/2018/11/08/5-possible-locations-for-a-downtown-indy-target/">there's been speculation</a> that the store could land at the Bottleworks development or open one of its "express" formats near the campus formerly known as IUPUI.</li></ul>The intrigue: Circle Centre Mall is <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2023/12/20/circle-centre-shopping-mall-hendricks">once again slated for redevelopment</a> as the city puts <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/08/21/georgia-street-convention-center">a renewed focus</a> on <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2023/11/09/downtown-fee-economic-enhancement-district">making downtown more liveable, walkable and enjoyable</a> for residents — rather than designing the Mile Square entirely around the visitor experience.💭 Arika's thought bubble: In downtown Minneapolis, you can make a literal Target run — popping in for oh, I don't know … dry shampoo, perhaps, while your co-worker picks up a package of Coca-Cola flavor Oreos.<ul><li>As a downtown dweller, I love keeping my car parked for days at a time and doing all my travel on foot but there is nowhere I can walk to for a can of green beans and end up snagging a scented candle, decorative pillow and a new pair of jeans.</li></ul>👀 What we're watching: The new and improved Circle Centre gives Target another chance to consider downtown.<ul><li>Execs will see more housing, residents and new development than the last time they kicked our tires. </li><li>During last night's "State of Downtown," Downtown Indy Inc., <a href="https://www.flipsnack.com/BABC5D99E8C/2024-community-report-7hn0jkhbdc/full-view.html">shared that families living downtown have increased</a> more than 66% since 2010 and roughly three-quarters of downtown residents are under the age of 60. </li><li>Your move, Target!</li></ul></div></body>

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An ode to downtown Targets

For a few brief but beautiful days, I got to live out one of my wildest dreams — eating, sleeping and working within walking distance of a downtown Target. Why it matters: The departure of major department stores predated the pandemic, but it continues to present gaping holes among downtown Indy's vacant storefronts — depressing downtown's post-pandemic rebound.

An ode to downtown Targets

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