MSU Grad to Lead Downtown Target Store; Opening Set for 8 a.m. Sunday

Michigan State University graduate Katie Stewart is Target's East Lansing store director at 201 E. Grand River Ave. The store will open for business at 8 a.m. Sunday.

In advance of Target’s downtown debut at 8 a.m. this Sunday, store officials at the Grand River Avenue site staged a media preview late Tuesday afternoon to provide a snapshot of what will be available for shoppers once the doors officially slide open to the public.

In short, East Lansing's urban-format Target will offer a potpourri of food, beverages, beauty products, activewear and various tech items that are aimed at making the young shopper feel right at home.

But not to the exclusion of the neighborhood browser, who can drop in and find a bottle of wine for dinner, a pack of batteries, or maybe an item or two for a tailgate party on campus.

“We will offer a lot of convenience and ease. It’s really convenient to pop in here and grab everything you need,” said store director Katie Stewart, a graduate of Michigan State University. “We think it’s really inspirational and everything the demographic would need. We’re really excited for everyone to come see it, and to be part of the community.”

Stewart and Target officials believe the one-story, 22,000-square-foot East Lansing store will offer a product selection that’s tailored for local residents, nearby working professionals, and Michigan State University students and staff – whether they’re craving something quick and easy, or running low on everyday items.

The store will open at 8 a.m. daily and stay open until 10 p.m. on weekdays, 11 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 p.m. on Sundays. Ramp parking behind the store for 25 spaces won't be ready until next month, Stewart said. Shoppers will be able to validate their parking tickets for the first 30 minutes. 

‘Curated assortment’ of goods

Merchandise includes a “curated assortment” of food and beverages, Spartan apparel and merchandise, dorm and apartment essentials, men’s and women’s apparel and accessories, and personal care and beauty products. Services will also include Order Pickup, which allows guests to order items online and pick up in store within an hour.

At this time the Grand River Ave. store will not stock clothing for children or infants. A small toy section will include a variety of board games.

“Obviously (the student population) is a big part of it, with dorm essentials and plenty of food but we plan to cater to the whole community,” Stewart said. “We’re really looking to attract additional guests, rather than take away from other Target stores in the area.”

Target operates full-size stores in Okemos, Delta Township, and South Lansing. The East Lansing “small format” campus store will be the first of its kind in Michigan.

“We believe we’ll reach a demographic that might not have the convenience of getting to the other three Lansing stores,” Stewart said.

Six self-service checkout stations await Target shoppers, who also will have the option of using the customer service desk to check out.

The downtown store has 75 employees, 90 percent of whom have been hired locally, according to Stewart.

"We have room for more (hires), and we're always accepting applications and looking for great talent," she said.