Target Stores

Great experience at this Target!
We found a round patio table and the last one available was the display model. A Target employee named Tracy took the time to dissemble the table and even looked on Cartwheel to see if there were any discounts on patio furniture. The table ended up not fitting in my Jeep so Tracy, and another young female employee who had just graduated from Drake, found bungee cords, bubble wrap, and tape and helped us tie the table to the top of my Jeep — around closing time!
We were really in awe by their care and commitment. By the time we found the receipt to give Tracy and this other employee an outstanding review, it was past the 72 hour time frame allotted for feedback via the Target website.
Anyhow, I had to share this story and note that this Target has excellent customer service!

I tend to have a love-​hate relationship with this Target store.
There are seven different Target stores to shop at in the Des Moines Metro area. All are modern with pharmacies, Starbucks, and some sort of extended «Pfresh» grocery (three are SuperTargets, three are standard Targets with the «Pfresh» extended grocery), but this one, it seems like, they ignore completely.
This Target store opened in 1992, as what was the fifth anchor store at Southridge Mall (the other four at the time being Montgomery Ward (closed and demolished), Richman Gordman (closed, replaced by JCPenney, then they closed, and is now DMACC Des Moines Area Community College), and existing from the mall’s 1975 opening Sears (it was actually 1977, but roll with me) and Younkers. Unfortunately, though, this Target seems to still be stuck in the 90’s.
Macerich, the property managers of Southridge Mall, have extensively reconstructed Southridge in 2012, making it a slightly better shopping experience, with most of the national brand retailers sporting new storefront looks (even Sears!), but the Target, however, looks exactly how it does when they first opened, and sticks out like a sore thumb. They had the perfect opportunity to introduce a unique look like the rest of the mall, and they simply just flicked a burning cigarette at the chance. Their mall entrance is still intact, but it seems to be closed indefinitely now.
Walking in, you get the sense of dreariness, as the older 90’s look absorbs into your mind. This Target still features the neon accent lighting, and there’s no red to be found, except in the checklane area. Now, don’t get me wrong… the store is clean, and the staff is helpful and nice, but I think it’s time for a renovation.
This Target’s store size is pretty big (especially for early 1990’s standards), and most of what I can find at other Target stores can be found here. They do have dry grocery, and very limited cold items. When it comes to services, all they offer is a Food Avenue, with no Pizza Hut or Taco Bell items. There is no Starbucks (most important feature to me at a Target store these days!). There is no Pharmacy. There is no Target Mobile, even (even the rural 25,000 population Target stores have that)!
There used to be a 1-​Hour Photo Lab next to Guest Service, but that closed in 2011 (they even updated the POS terminal before their closure, and it sits there collecting dust), and the space has sit there unused since. You would think that would be a nice place for a Starbucks!)
In 2009, they removed four checklanes up front (they had 18 originally, now they have 14), but the checklane bases are still there (they reduced the checklanes at five of the other Targets in Des Moines, but have removed the bases and have used the space for other things), and are collecting dust, and I don’t know why Target removed them in the first place! For Christmas that following year, they actually brought back two of the lanes, but removed them when the season passed.
One cool thing I do like about this Target (and 99.5% of the world could care less about) is how of all the Target stores I have visited, this one still features the 80’s style checklane lights (see photos)! I am heavy into retail, and love to see stuff like that! If they ever do renovate, I hope they keep those lane lights up!
I understand there are budget thresholds a store must meet in order to renovate, but if Target Corporation (I assume they own the building) would renovate this store, patronage would increase, and sales would increase! I have made numerous attempts to contact them in regards to renovation, but they say they don’t have future plans to for this store, and it’s sad… it could do so much better, and the South Side deserves a much better Target experience.
BOTTOM LINE: It is a decent Target to shop at, and I try to support it in every way possible, but don’t count on buying groceries, filling up your prescription, or grabbing an iced coffee at Starbucks at this Target store.

I love Target stores, they have a very modern theme inside and the stores themselves are very well-​maintained. Target is basically Walmart, but better services, products, and overall shopping experience for a slight increase in prices from Walmart. I know many people who have worked with Target and they really like the team members.
You are really able to see the better shopping experience once you enter a Target compared to Walmart.

Well, Southridge is getting a make-​over so I hope Target updates this one as well. The location has it’s problems so maybe it’s the ugly step-​child of the other DMS Targets. A bit ghetto if you ask me and compares with the Meyle Hay Mall Target. Still, it serves its purpose. I probably go to the Super Walmart around the corner on 14^th Street.

It was a weekend of Target shopping. What can I say? We love target!!! Unfortunately this Target loses a star because we weren’t able to find what we were looking for. We were on the hunt for anti bacterial lotion. Yes, they actually have that! Well… they did. Not anymore. But we got some other stuff for cheap. The place was busy but we checked out quickly. Huge parking lot for easy parking.