StarBulletin.com

Eye on Target: Opening crowds rush in


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POSTED: Thursday, March 05, 2009

Target Corp. has opened its first two stores on Oahu — at last.

               

     

 

Kapolei Target

        Address: 4450 Kapolei Parkway, Suite 100

        Team members: 376

        Store team leader: Jon Radtke

        Size: About 160,000 square feet

        Phone: 457-3697

       

Salt Lake Target

        Address: 4380 Lawehana St.

        Team members: 549

        Store team leader: Denise Lint

        Phone: 441-3118

After more than two years of planning and anticipation, the doors to Target stores in Kapolei and Salt Lake opened at 8 a.m. yesterday to hundreds of eagerly waiting customers.

“;It's like having a baby and the baby's finally born,”; said Mark Attucs, Target's district assets protection manager.

At Salt Lake the first customer in line was Kristal Ka'auwai of Aliamanu, who arrived at 5:30 a.m. to shop for cleaning supplies, clothes and items for her mother. She was greeted by applauding Target employees, who stood in two rows as the first customers walked in.

At Kapolei the staff came up with their own cheer and greeted customers with high fives. The crowd there was thicker, wiping out about 500 shopping carts within a half-hour after opening, according to store team leader Jon Radtke.

Customers said they have been waiting a long time for Target to open in Hawaii.

“;I've been waiting for two years with bated breath,”; said Kathy Jones of Pearl Harbor, who described the clothing at Target as “;stylish but not ridiculously expensive.”;

British designer Alexander McQueen's McQ dresses, which just debuted at Target stores, were popular yesterday, as well as Mossimo tanks and swimwear.

Kristin Tadevich stood in line at Salt Lake at about 7 a.m. and was busy browsing in women's sportswear once inside. In her shopping cart, Tadevich had her 11-month-old son, along with a baby tee from Now & Zen, and a decorative curtain rod.

Rodney and Jena Sabado of Kunia — at Target for the first time — took the strategy of checking out prices before buying but were pulled to the toy section by their toddler, Rodney Jr.

“;I like it,”; said Rodney Sabado. “;It seems really convenient.”;

;[Preview]  Salt Lake Target Opens Its Doors
 

Many anticipated shoppers flocked the salt lake store to find out what all what the buzz was all about.

[Watch]

 

Even Elizabeth Campbell of Vermont found the Target store in Hawaii worth a visit because her home state does not have one yet. She visits her son here every winter.

There was a crowd, but the spacious aisles were still easy to navigate, perhaps in part because Target invited special guests (team family members and the community) to shop early on Tuesday evening.

The toy section was popular, as were women's sportswear, which is conveniently located near the entrance, the baby section, household products and home decor. Target's reusable tote bags in a red, floral pattern, were also a hit.

Bullseye, the Minneapolis company's mascot bull terrier, made a trip from the mainland to greet guests at both locations Tuesday evening. He spent the last few hours of his visit yesterday hanging out behind the scenes at the Salt Lake store.

Though many sales will begin at Target's official grand opening on Sunday, there were some new store specials, including 12-ounce cans of Spam for $1.50 and giant toy play-balls for 99 cents.

Another Target store is slated to open in July in Kona on the Big Island.