St. John's shoppers disappointed, resigned to Target closure
There was mixed reaction outside the doors of Target in St. John's, as shoppers learned the department store chain would be closing all its locations across Canada.
"I'm going to be disappointed, very disappointed," said Avery, as she made her way inside the store.
"I'll have to wait til I go on holidays and go to Target in the States."
Avery wasn't the only one disappointed by the soon-to-be loss of the department store, which also houses Starbucks Coffee Company.
"I'm kind going to be sad that they're closing," Erica Trickett said, "I find it really nice in there, not crowded."
The company's decision means the closure of the Corner Brook store, as well.
Not busy
Not everyone is broken up by Target moving out.
"It's not too long along that they opened here, but I suppose business is business," customer Russell Janes told CBC News.
"This one closes and another will open. something's going to take its place."
What everyone outside the big, red store could agree on was what may have lead Target to making the decision to leave Canada.
"Not an over abundance of shoppers, unfortunately very few people." infrequent Target shopper Derek Lake added.
Locally, Target is known for its dedication to hiring workers with disabilities.
In Dec., the company was given the Business Award for Independent Living at the Independent Living Resource Centre Awards Ceremony held at Government House.
The Target location on Stavanger Drive took over the building from Zellers, which closed the majority of its stores shortly before Target swept into Canada.
Target expanded the building, which is located next to Costco, before opening in Nov. 2013.
Much like the closure of Zellers, employees at Target will soon get their layoff notices.
- Target Canada files for creditor protection, plans to close all stores
- Target Canada needs more work to get better, executives say
There are 133 stores across the country with about 17,600 employees.