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New Target opens up in downtown Sunnyvale
Store seen as essential part of center's redevelopment
By Jana Seshadri
Sunnyvale has witnessed yet another historic first--the opening of the very first Target store in the city.
"We're delighted to have a Target store in Sunnyvale," said Suzi Blackman, chairman and CEO of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce.
The 130,000-square-foot, two-story Target is located in the Silicon Valley WAVE, which used to be known as the Sunnyvale Town Center, taking the place of Montgomery Ward. According to Sunnyvale Mayor Fred Fowler, Target has been waiting for an opportunity to be in Sunnyvale.
"A lot of people have been waiting anxiously for this," Fowler said.
Joe Antuzzi, the owner of Il Postale restaurant on Washington Avenue, is the chairman of the Sunnyvale Downtown Association and chairman of the Downtown Stakeholders Committee, both of which were involved in the urban design plan for the downtown area. He said the Target opening has generated the most excitement he's seen about a retail business opening in a long time.
At a time when the slow economy is expected to start making a turnaround, a new store ensures new jobs and a boost in sales. Sales tax brings more money into the city's coffers to help serve the community. To provide that boost and encourage people to shop, the store offered a 10 percent discount to shoppers on March 2, its opening day.
According to Eric Howarth, general manager, his store is unique because it does have two stories with inside escalators and departments within the store, which other Target stores lack. His store, which currently employs about 300 people, has a larger frozen food section, a pharmacy, a Breyer's ice cream counter and larger floor space, Howarth said.
"We're really looking forward to a partnership with Sunnyvale," he said.
The opening day festivities included the traditional ribbon cutting by Howarth and Fowler, accompanied by Sunnyvale Vice Mayor Julia Miller and council members John Howe and Pat Vorreiter. The Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce board members and several city officials, including City Manager Robert LaSala, Assistant City Manager Amy Chan, Director of Community Development Robert Paternoster and Manager of Economic Development Karen Davis, attended the opening.
A mariachi band entertained the shoppers, and refreshments were served.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
