Lina Lecaro
Last year, in our Best of LA Culture 2019 issue, we questioned if the mega Target store at Hollywood Blvd. and Western Ave. would ever be completed. And who could blame us? The embattled structure was an eyesore in the area for years, ignored and undone, and left as a dusty shell due to city bureaucracy and issues concerning how the building got approved in the first place (the problem concerned violations of environmental protection law, specifically the height of the building which did not include underground parking).
It became somewhat of a local joke, even leading an LA journalist to create a satiric social media presence for the building called the “Target Husk” via a popular Facebook page and Twitter account. Construction resumed last year and as resident of the area, we’ve been heartened to see the thing slowly come to life the past several months. And now, the day is finally here.
We donned our facemask and drove up (not down) into the parking structure to get the full “East Hollywood Target experience” earlier this week to provide a sneak peek photo gallery of the layout and vibe. We even bought some stuff.
Here’s some Target fun facts via the store’s press release below:
- This new mecca is officially called the “L.A. Sunset Boulevard store” and it’s located at 5500 W. Sunset Blvd.
- With the addition of this Target and five others in the area this month, they will have 114 stores in the Los Angeles area, which altogether employ nearly 21,000 team members.
- Target’s first store opened in 1983.
- In 2019, the company gave $1.4 million in cash and in-kind donations in Los Angeles, including 421,000 pounds of food to area food banks and team members volunteered 3,600 service hours in the local community.
- Target Circle, the retailer’s free, nationwide loyalty program, gives guests in Los Angeles the ability to direct Target’s giving in the local community.
- With the addition of the LA Sunset store, Target now operates nearly 1,900 Target stores nationwide (store count on Oct. 25, 2020).
Regarding Covid-19 concerns:
- Team members and guests, except for those with underlying medical conditions and young children, are required to wear masks or face coverings inside.
- They are monitoring and metering the number of people inside stores and adding signage and overhead audio reminders to promote social distancing.
- They are conducting rigorous cleaning routines.
- To serve guests during the holiday season, they plan to support contactless services and safety.
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