Many customers who’ve shopped for years at this Target are saddened by its closure.
“It’s sad to see another empty building, another business closing,” said Sally Hunter, of Middletown. “I love Target I’ve always shopped at Target.”
Target closed 10 p.m. Saturday. The pharmacy shut down in advance of Saturday’s closing, and a sign posted outside indicates the prescriptions had been transferred to CVS Pharmacy, 3445 Union Road.
A hole will be created with Target’s closure, Hunter said. She, like others, would often come to Target and then head to neighboring Kohl’s, or vice versa.
“I think it’s going to affect all of the businesses (in the area),” Hunter said.
Amy Dilldine, of Middletown, said Target was her family’s “go-to” store outside of major grocery shopping.
“It’s always been there,” she said.
Inside the store, it appeared to be business as usual. But there were no plans for inventory liquidation as goods would be transferred to nearby stores, according to Target spokesman Evan Lapiska.
About 80 employees at the Middletown Target are affected by the closing, and eligible employees have been offered similar, if not the same, positions at nearby stories.
Those who decided to end their Target employment when Middletown’s store closes were offered a separation package based on their years of service, Lapiska said.
Diane Young, of Middletown, worked for Target but left a few years ago due to medical issues.
“I will miss this Target,” Young said, who still has friends that will take jobs at other Target locations. “The people that shopped there, they were not customers. They were guests, they were our guests.”
She said when the store moved close to Interstate 75, people complained because they didn’t think they would be able to get there without transportation. But they came as bus routes were re-routed, she said.
Target officials said they “will be actively marketing” the Middletown property, as well as the other properties closing.
Middletown residents had more than 1,000 responses on an online petition trying to convince Target officials to reconsider their decision. Trotwood city officials went to Minneapolis to meet with Target officials to convince them to reconsider. Both attempts failed.
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