SuperTarget - Shoreview, MN

Welcome back to the Shoppes. We return to the great northern state of Minnesota, where we pay a visit to their hometown retail hero right in its habitat!

Store info

• Store number: ST-619
  
• Address: 3800 Lexington Ave N, Shoreview, MN 55126
• Opening date: October 9, 1991
• Renovations: 2001-02 (S01/expansion to SuperTarget), 2012 (S09), 2018 (S17)
• Features: Deli, Bakery, Wine & Spirits, CVS Pharmacy, Starbucks Coffee, Optical

The store started as an early Target Greatland, then Target's premier retailing concept tailored to high-volume sites. The concept had been introduced the year prior in nearby Apple Valley and bestowed features then rare within their store base, such as pharmacies, dual entrances, and grocery options.

A SuperTarget expansion was complete by mid-2002, adding a complete assortment of groceries and becoming one of the first stores under said moniker in the Twin Cities. Since then, two further remodels have been conducted; one circa 2012 and the latest in 2018. The latter renovation brought the store into a new era of retailing, complete with ornate displays and fresh design across the board.

Photos taken on July 31, 2019 by The Battery Mill

Our first photo for today is at the entrance leading up to the center. The center the store is co-inhabited with several other outparcels. Isn't that one large sign?

The left-hand grocery entrance is likewise clad in wood and stands out among a newly minted grayscale facade.

While the curved vestibule windows are a trait of the P01 era, the steel girder running out front seems to be something exclusive to this store.

One of the last bastions of P09 decor within the store resides within the grocery vestibule. Odd to see how they hadn't managed to change said decor out, but I'm sure it'll a nice treasure while it lasts.

Now we take a look at the frozen coolers, with accenting located under the upper wall portion. The new grocery decor differs slightly from that of the rest of the store in comparison to previous packages, featuring a wood-clad design, lush lattices and gray flooring.

Here is a typical Target CVS Pharmacy branch, once having been a Target Pharmacy before the 2015 acquisition. The remodel's definitely making it glow nicely.
 
This is especially an image where you may notice the store's high ceiling. This is a feature present in older Greatland/SuperTarget stores like this one, which used the given headroom for decor and exposition in contrast to regular Target stores. Additionally, the bar is even raised higher at the front end - an extra level opens up to the mezzanine area, commonly placed above the front wall in early 90s Targets.

Next we tab to a quaint selection of books and home video located within Target's electronics department. Surpisingly, these two-three aisles mark the extent of such sales. Wonder why? I'll have the answer below.

In response to the decline of physical media, Target has decreased their CD/DVD and book selection to these few aisles. This follows a general decree made chainwide stating the chain would only request CDs to be distributed to their stores based on demand.

Also, if by chance any of you may be fans of X Ambassadors: their latest album, Orion, takes center stage on the ad screen as pictured. I myself don't care for this kind of music, however it's a nice treat to see if you do care.

Where imagination comes to life! This LEGO slide proves itself to be the hallmark of said department at Target.

The new remodels have brought extravagant toy displays to stores, including immersive sculptures like these and dynamic lighting. It's something to see in a post-Toys R Us retail landscape!

Thanks for reading my post; as usual, hope you enjoyed it! More is to come soon. In addition to my regular retail features, I will continue to post extra content from my Minnesota visit.