Derek Jenkins was all smiles at the recent grand opening of Manhattan’s first ever Target store in East Harlem. The senior vice president of the northeast region was on hand at the ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new 174,000-square-foot store, the ninth in the region. “You have to come and check out our store. We have a lot of things going on. It’s a little different from some of the other Target stores,” he says.
Target has tailored the store to meet the needs of its guest by featuring space devoted to fresh food, everyday essentials and home basics geared for apartment living. “We have fresh produce and baked goods … a great assortment of cosmetics, greeting cards and even a better assortment of music. So come on out and help support us,” Jenkins says.
Jenkins’ invitation is fitting because the new East Harlem Target store is supporting the local economy, which means shopping at Target is mutually beneficial for its guests as well as the retailer. “We have been working 13 years to get this location in East Harlem open. We have hired 400 team members, more than half of which are from the local area,” Jenkins shares. “[The community] has been so great embracing us. … Target gives 5 percent of our profits to the community, which is a little over $3 million. We have a couple of local designers who have decided to go above and beyond and are giving 5 percent of their profits to the community as well. We have a lot of volunteer opportunities, so come on out and talk to us.”
Target’s East Harlem location is expected to rank among the top five revenue generators of all its stores — $90 million in the first year; a typical suburban store does about $25 million in the first year. The Minneapolis-based retailer serves guests at 1,613 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. –yvette caslin
