Is a new Target store still coming to Bradenton’s Manatee Avenue? Here’s what we know
A Bradenton Herald reader recently asked whether a planned Target store is still coming to town.
The construction site at 7350 Manatee Ave. W., formerly occupied by Kmart, has been very quiet recently, the reader said in an email.
The short answer is “yes, a new Target is still coming to the area.”
One good indication is paperwork recently filed with Manatee County government for a sign permit for Target Store #3396 at 7350 Manatee Ave. W.
The internally illuminated wall signs would be on the south elevation of Target Store #3396, according to the application.
While we have no way of knowing what Target has done inside the building, we can see that a lot of work has been done to update the facade and the parking lot.
And a Target spokesperson offered this reassurance this month:
“I can confirm that Target has plans to open the Bradenton Beach store. We’re excited to bring an easy, safe and convenient shopping experience to new guests in the community with this new Target store.
“Located at 75th Street and Manatee Ave., the store will be approximately 49,000 square feet. As we get closer to opening the store, we’ll have more specific details to share — including how the shopping experience will be tailored to serve local guests and the grand opening date.”
And that’s exactly what Target spokespersons have been saying since September 2020, when they first confirmed a new store was planned for Bradenton.
Word on the street that a Target was coming to the Manatee Avenue location began circulating almost as soon as the old Kmart store closed there in 2019.
So, it’s understandable that Bradenton Target shoppers are wondering if it’s still going to happen, and if so, when?
We think the highest levels of leadership are well aware of progress on the Manatee Avenue store.
Target Corp. Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell and his wife, Martha Cornell have deep roots in the Sarasota area.
In 2021, the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation announced that the Cornells were donating $10 million to support the creation of a new behavioral health facility at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota.
Almost certainly, some of the long lead time to a grand opening has to do with the pandemic and supply chain issues.
When we know more, we’ll report when you can “Expect more. Pay less,” to borrow Target’s tagline since 1994.
This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 5:50 AM.
