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Target opens at Coleman MarketPlace

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Denice Thibodea

Without any fanfare, Target has opened its doors at Coleman MarketPlace. The official grand opening is set for Sunday.

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By Denice Thibodeau

Published: July 24, 2008

Though the official grand opening isn’t until Sunday, Target at Coleman MarketPlace has quietly opened its doors — and as word spreads, hoards of Danvillians are showing up to check out the region’s newest shopping experience.

Ellen Aldridge, one of the store’s executive team leaders, said new-store specials already are in play, even though the first published advertisement won’t come out until Sunday.

“Word-of-mouth really worked for the store opening,” Aldridge said Thursday. “We had our first full day (Wednesday), and people sure found out about it.”

The first time non-employees got to check the store out was Tuesday night, when employees invited family and friends in for an evening of food and entertainment.

“We have a lot of great discounts,” Aldridge said. “We also have a great selection of back-to-school items already set up.”

There’s a section of the store with displays of items geared toward college students, including colorful sheets, comforters, lamps and storage accessories.

Shoppers who need to take a break can hit “Food Avenue,” where they’ll find snacks, soft drinks, Starbucks coffee and a Pizza Hut Express.

A few more stores at Coleman MarketPlace are getting closer to opening their doors.

Petco’s doors will open Monday, though the store won’t celebrate its grand opening until the weekend of Aug. 8-10, according to Kalen Smith, communications coordinator at the company’s headquarters.

Marshalls is still on track to be moved into its new location on Aug. 7.

The current location on Riverside Drive will close Aug. 2.

The interior upfit is under way at Dick’s Sporting Goods, but there’s no word yet on when its opening day will be.

• Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.

Reader Reactions

Posted by ( vavip ) on July 28, 2008 at 11:33 pm

All new stores hire too many people to start off with. It is hard to tell what you will really need until the newness wears off.

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Posted by ( DJC4 ) on July 28, 2008 at 10:12 pm

Anything that will drive down prices is good. I have never been to a Target but if they take Walmart down a notch or two it would be good. Kmart is probably doomed.

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Posted by ( JWR ) on July 27, 2008 at 11:03 pm

It may be nice that wallyworld gets competition, but take a look at the labels. The majority of the items are made in China just like in wallyworld… I mean China-Mart.

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Posted by ( letstalk ) on July 26, 2008 at 1:54 pm

Wonder if Councilman Tomer will be at the Grand Opening. He was against the city offering incentives for this new complex to locate here. Wonder if he is still against it knowing how many jobs it is bringing with it? Wasn’t JOBS what his campaign against Marshall last year was all about???

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Posted by ( TaleGator ) on July 25, 2008 at 1:28 pm

With the opening of Home Depot and now Target, it’s great that Sprawl-Mart and Lowes finally have some competition in town. I agree with jcdvt, Wal-Mart and Target have an entirely different demographic. Not nearly the freakshow atmosmphere in Target, and the merchandise is more upscale than what you’d find at Wal-Mart. Now I have even fewer reasons to set foot in Wally World!

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Posted by ( hollinsgirl7 ) on July 25, 2008 at 9:57 am

I’ve been waiting for a Target for 5 years! I was getting tired of traveling to G’boro or Lynchburg just to shop there. while I’m not sure about the incentive money, yet, I am happy we have a target but now we need some places to eat (say an Olive Garden or Moe’s Southwest or do I dare dream a Cracker Barrel) and a Barnes and Noble. then I wouldn’t have to travel anywhere!

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Posted by ( jcdvt ) on July 25, 2008 at 8:33 am

Target is a much better store than Wal-Mart and it is my hope that those that think Wal-Mart is better will continue to shop and Wal-Mart and leave the bargains that Target has to those of us that appreciate them. The stores are geared toward different clientele, so it’s only natural that there would be differing opinions in this matter. I’ve been waiting for a Target to open up down here since I moved from Blacksburg two years ago. As far as the post about in two months the store being overstaffed and downsizing? That’s just natural for a new store. Would you rather them employ 50 people total when they open, have lines to the back of the store because everyone is flooding the store at once because it is new, and you have to wait for 2 hours to check out? After the initial rush of customers, it is customary to cut down on the number of employees (most of which will weed themselves out-no laying off people). Incentives work and people just don’t realize it because they don’t see the return in the form of a tax refund over time. Just imagine what your taxes would be if these companies DID NOT locate here.

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Posted by ( joykhick ) on July 24, 2008 at 11:18 pm

Target is a great store, however it does not compare to Walmart...Target is very much overpriced in its merchandise. Customer service is not that great either, maybe it will be here in Danville, but in TX, its not good.

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Posted by ( aldelly@gamewood.net ) on July 24, 2008 at 4:32 pm

Can’t wait to go to Target. I love Target in Lynchburg, and now we have one in Danville.

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Posted by ( danvillevillander ) on July 24, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Story in two months:
Target overstaffed, downsizes
No incentive money returned because of failed promise of job creation

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