UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. – Residents and business owners alike are looking forward to the newly announced 148,00-square-foot Target in University City.
The location will feature a two-level parking garage, ensuring ample space for the influx of customers expected to flock to their retail giant. It joins a lineup of popular fast food restaurants like Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s, making the Market at Olive a premier shopping destination.
“I could not be happier—I hate driving down to the Promenade in Brentwood. The parking is awful; it’s always crowded. So, I think it would be good to have a really nice, big Target in a central location,” Tauna Price, nearby resident, said.
Locals aren’t the only ones excited for the development. Tee Thomas, the owner of the nearby Formation Hair Salon, is looking forward to more potential customers but remains concerned about one reoccurring issue.
“As the infrastructure in University City already kind of struggles with the pipes…our salon floods from time to time. As they dig in the street, we know that sometimes it may be something to run down here in the salon,” she said.
Thomas states that the new development is pushing businesses further down, which creates more unexpected costs for University City business owners.
“So, as I try to scramble and relocate because development is supposed to come further east down the street, I can’t afford to go into a strip mall that now wants $34 per square foot plus triple nets compared to my $12 per square foot (with) no triple nets,” she said.
FOX 2 reached out to University City, who commented, “It will actually highlight the positive impact of development on the community by bringing top retail brands and enhancing the local economy. I want to emphasize the collaborative efforts of the city officials and the development team in achieving this milestone.”
University City stated they are grateful to soon hold the largest retail store in the St. Louis area. Construction is already underway, but an opening date has not been revealed yet.
