New East Long Beach Target to open next month

Target’s new “flexible format” store at the busy intersection of Pacific Coast Highway, Seventh Street and Bellflower Boulevard is set to open next month, store officials aounced this moing.

The new store, which formerly housed a Ralph’s grocery store that had operated for 40 years and closed in November, will open March 9.

The store will be smaller than others, including a nearby Target about 2 miles away on Bellflower Boulevard near Steas Street. However, Target officials said customers have responded positively to the new format; so far 18 of them have opened across the country, and two more are plaed in the Los Angeles area in Koreatown and near USC.

The store is 33,000 square feet, and will include apparel, home items, groceries, technology and other items for sale. The store, at 5760 E. Seventh St., will also include a Starbucks, Target Mobile, Order Pickup and “grab-and-go” food items.

This new store will cater specifically to the immediate neighborhoods surrounding Cal State Long Beach and VA hospital, Target officials have said.

City officials earlier lauded the arrival of the new Target. Councilwoman Suzie Price, who represents the 3rd District that encompasses the new store, took to Facebook to welcome the new Target.

“The smaller store concept is about a fifth the size of a traditional Target store and is designed to give customers in the neighborhood a fast and efficient shopping experience that is tailored to our community needs,” she wrote.

Mayor Robert Garcia on Tuesday said he has been encouraging Target to open other locations in the city and pitched company officials on another Long Beach location where Target doesn’t have a huge presence.

“Target has a great reputation and is a great brand,” Garcia said. “It will be a home run for that center.”

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