Target announces opening date for fifth Delaware store

For more than a year, the Middletown Target has been "coming soon."

That's when the big-box retailer first confirmed it would open a location in one of Delaware's fastest-growing areas, on Middletown Warwick Road in a new shopping center on the north side of Middletown. By early 2023, Target's website listed a Target on Middletown-Warwick Road among the many stores that would soon come.

In 2023: Details on the planned Middletown Target, and how Target is changing in Delaware

For just as long, the would-be customers of Middletown have been asking, "How soon is soon?"

Well, we've finally got an answer. The Middletown Target hopes to be open on Oct. 13, Target spokespeople have confirmed.

"We’re excited to bring an easy, affordable and convenient shopping experience to new guests in the Middletown community with this new Target store," wrote Target spokesperson Loni Monroe. The store, located at 361 Middletown Warwick Road, will be approximately 148,000 square feet.

Representatives caution that the date may change depending on construction or other variables. The store is hiring for numerous positions at its upcoming Middletown location.

And as they've said for the past year, Target spokespeople say they'll be able to share more details as the store opening nears, including "how the shopping experience will be tailored to serve local guests . "

Delaware Online/The News Journal has followed the long path to the store's construction reported since 2022, as we reported on Middletown's approval process . At that time, the company had not commented publicly on the project.

The store will serve as an anchor to a new shopping development called Northside Shopping Center from developers Lee and Louis Ramunno. A Sprouts grocery store is planned next door. Advertising materials for the shopping center show a Hobby Lobby and a PetSmart also projected.

More: Sprouts is heading to Middletown, joining crowded grocery market

Where are the Target stores in Delaware?

When it opens, it will be the fifth Target in Delaware, joining locations at Brandywine Town Center off Concord Pike, the Christiana Mall, Prices Corner shopping center and on Route 13 in Dover.

The Prices Corner Target opened in place of Sears in April 2021 . The company completed construction, and the store opened about a year and a half after the new location was officially announced. That places the timeline for the Middletown Target pretty much ... forgive us ... right on target.

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Matthew Korfhage is business and development reporter in the Delaware region covering all things related to land and money: openings and closings, construction, and the many corporations that call the First State home. Send tips and insults to mkorfhage@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Target announces opening date for fifth Delaware store