Norfolk City Council gave the go ahead to the development of a large-scale retail and grocery store off East Little Creek Road in Wards Corner, a site where developers have sought for a Target.
Neither the retail giant nor the city have confirmed Target will fill the space formerly occupied by a Kroger, Work Force Development Center and Virginia Ham store.
However, the council’s Tuesday vote follows years of negotiations between Virginia Beach developer Kotarides Cos. and Target to bring a store to the Wards Corner location. Civic league officials previously confirmed Target was being considered for the location, and the colors and designs submitted to council are consistent with Target’s branding.
“We are continually evaluating potential store locations to serve new guests,” a Target spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “But I don’t have any new-store news to share at this time.”
Kotarides Cos. described the business in its development application as a “large, high-quality general merchandise retail store that will include a grocery. The proposed retailer has a national footprint with stores in all 50 states and over $1 billion in sales for 2022.” The store will employ about 150 people and will be roughly 130,000 square feet.
The unanimous council vote grants a conditional use permit authorizing the operation of a retail goods establishment larger than 50,000 square feet. A that the current buildings would be demolished. It is unclear when that would happen, when construction on the new store would begin or when it would open.
Council member Tommy Smigiel said he (and his family) were especially excited for his vote.
“I think it’s a great economic development project for Wards Corner,” Smigiel said.
Norfolk has one Target store about 5 miles away on APP Military Highway. Hampton Roads has 12 Targets.
Cianna Morales, 757-957-1304, cianna.morales@virginiamedia.com
