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  4. I visited the first Target store ever and saw how the chain is incubating the future of the discount store

I visited the first Target store ever and saw how the chain is incubating the future of the discount store

Mary Meisenzahl   

I visited the first Target store ever and saw how the chain is incubating the future of the discount store
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
  • I visited the original Target store in Minneapolis, which opened 60 years ago.
  • The store was massive, including a full grocery store complete with a deli and bakery.

Target is headquartered in Minneapolis, so on a recent trip I visited the original location of the iconic chain.

Target is headquartered in Minneapolis, so on a recent trip I visited the original location of the iconic chain.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The original store is located in Roseville, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis.

The original store is located in Roseville, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The Dayton Company, which operated department stores, opened Target as its first discount retailer in 1962, 60 years ago.

The Dayton Company, which operated department stores, opened Target as its first discount retailer in 1962, 60 years ago.
Courtesy of Target

Today the store looks much more modern, with all the motifs I typically associate with Target, like the large red balls mounted outside stores.

Today the store looks much more modern, with all the motifs I typically associate with Target, like the large red balls mounted outside stores.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Inside there were dozens of carts, implying that this location sees heavy traffic.

Inside there were dozens of carts, implying that this location sees heavy traffic.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Inside, the store felt absolutely massive.

Inside, the store felt absolutely massive.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It wasn't much different from some of the more updated Target stores I've visited, though this was clearly much larger.

It wasn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were aisles and aisles of clothes ...

There were aisles and aisles of clothes ...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

... shoes ...

... shoes ...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

... and accessories, for everyone from babies to adults and expectant mothers.

... and accessories, for everyone from babies to adults and expectant mothers.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I wandered through the aisles, realizing you could buy just about anything a typical shopper would need here.

I wandered through the aisles, realizing you could buy just about anything a typical shopper would need here.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

You could outfit your home completely in Target merchandise.

You could outfit your home completely in Target merchandise.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

This location had more furniture than I'm used to seeing at Target, staged by stylized decor to look like possible room designs.

This location had more furniture than I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I especially enjoyed the section stocked with impressively realistic fake plants.

I especially enjoyed the section stocked with impressively realistic fake plants.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It seemed like quite a trek just to reach the grocery section in the back of the store.

It seemed like quite a trek just to reach the grocery section in the back of the store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Like the other areas of the store, the grocery section was familiar but much larger than I'm used to.

Like the other areas of the store, the grocery section was familiar but much larger than I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The frozen foods section in particular was much more robust than at my local Target.

The frozen foods section in particular was much more robust than at my local Target.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Most Targets with grocery sections I've seen are usually heavy on snacks and drinks, but this one had dozens of sandwich meats, cheeses, and other items that round out a typical shopping list.

Most Targets with grocery sections I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was even a relatively large deli counter, staffed by several workers.

There was even a relatively large deli counter, staffed by several workers.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I saw customers requesting specific cuts of meat and cheese.

I saw customers requesting specific cuts of meat and cheese.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A warming counter held rotisserie chickens, similar to setups common at Costco and Walmart.

A warming counter held rotisserie chickens, similar to setups common at Costco and Walmart.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The bakery was well-stocked with spring-colored cakes and cupcakes, and customers could request custom items, too.

The bakery was well-stocked with spring-colored cakes and cupcakes, and customers could request custom items, too.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The bakery also sold baked goods including donuts and and bagels, which were mostly picked over by the time I visited in the early evening.

The bakery also sold baked goods including donuts and and bagels, which were mostly picked over by the time I visited in the early evening.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was an extensive selection of prepared foods available.

There was an extensive selection of prepared foods available.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I was surprised to find that the bakery, deli, and prepared food sections reminded me of Wegmans in their setup and selection.

I was surprised to find that the bakery, deli, and prepared food sections reminded me of Wegmans in their setup and selection.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The rest of the grocery area looked mostly typical, with a wall of vegetables and salads.

The rest of the grocery area looked mostly typical, with a wall of vegetables and salads.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were a number of smaller store setups within Target that made the retailer almost feel like a mall.

There were a number of smaller store setups within Target that made the retailer almost feel like a mall.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Target began opening mini Ulta stores in summer 2021 to better tap into the lucrative beauty industry.

Target began opening mini Ulta stores in summer 2021 to better tap into the lucrative beauty industry.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

The brightly lit section was next to Target's regular beauty aisles, but it still felt like a distinct space thanks to signage and carefully placed decor.

The brightly lit section was next to Target
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The CVS inside the store was located right next to the mini Ulta.

The CVS inside the store was located right next to the mini Ulta.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It seemed to function the same way as a standalone CVS, with a counter for picking up prescriptions.

It seemed to function the same way as a standalone CVS, with a counter for picking up prescriptions.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was also a CVS MinuteClinic, where customers can see doctors for non-emergency medical needs without an appointment. It appeared to be closed during my visit.

There was also a CVS MinuteClinic, where customers can see doctors for non-emergency medical needs without an appointment. It appeared to be closed during my visit.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

An optician office was located near the front of the store next to CVS, with advertisements displaying deals on glasses and contacts.

An optician office was located near the front of the store next to CVS, with advertisements displaying deals on glasses and contacts.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I've never seen an optician or CVS MinuteClinic in Target before.

I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Displays near the checkout were decked out for spring.

Displays near the checkout were decked out for spring.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Flowers from Minnesota nurseries in beautiful colors were set up near the exit of the store, along with Easter decor and cupcakes.

Flowers from Minnesota nurseries in beautiful colors were set up near the exit of the store, along with Easter decor and cupcakes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

This Target also had a Starbucks near the entrance, which is more common. There are at least 1,300 Starbucks inside US Targets.

This Target also had a Starbucks near the entrance, which is more common. There are at least 1,300 Starbucks inside US Targets.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Tech Crunch

The final store within a store was "Wine and Spirits," a liquor shop that was actually closed off from the rest of the store, unlike the other installations.

The final store within a store was "Wine and Spirits," a liquor shop that was actually closed off from the rest of the store, unlike the other installations.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

On my way out, I noticed an entire row of the parking lot dedicated to curbside pickup.

On my way out, I noticed an entire row of the parking lot dedicated to curbside pickup.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Target has invested in curbside pickup in the last few years, even testing out adding Starbucks drinks to the service.

Target has invested in curbside pickup in the last few years, even testing out adding Starbucks drinks to the service.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

Visiting the original Target shows just how far the store has come from its roots, from discount store to one-stop shop for groceries, beauty, apparel, alcohol, home goods, and more.

Visiting the original Target shows just how far the store has come from its roots, from discount store to one-stop shop for groceries, beauty, apparel, alcohol, home goods, and more.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The store works in part because of its smart organization.

The store works in part because of its smart organization.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are six stores and services inside Target aside from the main store, but clever design delineated the space between the different stores and made them feel separate.

There are six stores and services inside Target aside from the main store, but clever design delineated the space between the different stores and made them feel separate.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

This giant Target felt almost like a mall, with all the different stores inside of it.

This giant Target felt almost like a mall, with all the different stores inside of it.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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