Stop the Presses — We Have a Target
Santa Barbara Indep. — April 2, 2019

Target has landed in Santa Barbara. Photo: Paul Wellman



Mayor Cathy Murillo at the new Target in Santa Barbara

Starshine Roshell at the new Target in Santa Barbara

South Coast's First Location Draws Community Leaders, Family and Friends of Employees
The South Coast’s first Target store opened its doors Tuesday evening to community leaders, members of the press, and friends and family of employees. Located at State Street and La Cumbre, the two-story 30,000-square-foot store is one of the chain’s larger small format stores, with all of the usual Target departments (plus groceries, minus pharmacy and Starbucks), with a smaller selection. “Instead of 20 different types of toilet paper, we have five”, said store director Allison Lopez.
Some of the surrounding traffic lanes have been reconfigured for the traffic it’s anticipated to bring; locals have also raised concerns about parking, as the building’s lot only offers 91 spaces. Lopez encourages customers to take advantage of the store’s bike parking, as well, and points out that the store’s size allows for more frequent parking turnover. “We’re not the giant Target you’re gonna get lost in for three hours”, she said.
The store donated $3,000 each to the United Way and Santa Barbara Zoo at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Mayor Cathy Murillo thanked Target for creating jobs and contributing to the local economy. The store expects to employ 60 to 80 workers and is still hiring.
“I encourage everyone to come shop,” said Mayor “I’m gonna go get my purse after this.”
She wasn’t the only one ready to buy. “I am so happy, I’m gonna cry,” said Amy Joy Lashmet, 27. “There’s just so much that Target offers at affordable prices that’s on trend”and you can get everything in one place. It’s my happy place. It’s where I go when I want to de-stress.”
The store is now officially open to the public, but will have its grand opening celebration on Sunday, giving reusable shopping bags to the first 1,000 customers.
The Goleta Target will be more than 100,000 square feet, and is expected to open in October.
More Galleria Press
Santa Barbara Target on target for soft opening this week and grand opening on Sunday
KEYT 3
April 2, 2019
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Target hosts open house inside new Santa Barbara store.
Read MoreTarget welcomes first customers into Santa Barbara store
KEYT 3
April 2, 2019
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Customers got their first look inside Santa Barbara's new Target on Tuesday afternoon. Newly trained employees said Target will be open from 7 a. m. -11 p.
Read MoreSanta Barbara Target opens before grand opening on Sunday
KEYT 3
April 2, 2019
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.
Read MoreSanta Barbaras first Target lets shoppers crash open house before soft and grand openings
KEYT 3
April 2, 2019
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Target hosts open house for Very Imporant Guests and decides to stay open after shoppers crash the party.
Read MoreTarget opens first Santa Barbara-area store
ksby6
April 5, 2019
The wait for Target to open its doors in Santa Barbara is now over. The small-format store at 3891 State St.
Read MoreRide along with us on our parking search at the new Santa Barbara Target
KEYT 3
April 3, 2019
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Parking looks to be challenging at the new Target store in Santa Barbara at a site that was the former Galleria Center.
Read MoreFirst of 2 Santa Barbara-Area Target Stores Opens on State Street
Noozhawk
April 2, 2019
All good things come to those who wait. Target, the popular retailer that has been an elusive dream of many Santa Barbara-area residents for decades, is finally here.
Read MoreStop the Presses — We Have a Target
Santa Barbara Indep.
April 2, 2019
The South Coast’s first Target store opened its doors Tuesday evening to community leaders, members of the press, and friends and family of employees.
Read MoreFirst ever Santa Barbara Target opening April 7
KEYT 30
March 21, 2019
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The doors will open April 7 at the new Neighborhood Target Store in Santa Barbara.
Read MoreTarget CEO: $7 billion investment in stores and technology is paying off
The Star Tribune
March 2, 2019
It was the equivalent of standing on stage and being pummeled with tomatoes. That’s how investors reacted two years ago when Target Corp.
Read More