Target opens new store in Brookings

BROOKINGS — It’s not quite Christmas yet, but Brookings just received an early gift in the form of a new Target store coming to town in the Brookings Marketplace development.

News of the 127,000-square-foot store becoming the project’s anchor tenant broke Monday afternoon after the final signatures were signed and filed with the Brookings County Register of Deeds Office. The other announced store in the project is national grocer Aldi. Two smaller stores are expected to fill the 18.53-acre site north of Sixth Street, east of the Interstate 29 interchange.

“I am very proud and excited to make this announcement,” Brookings Mayor Oepke “Ope” Niemeyer said in a press release. “Brookings has been working to bring Target here for several years. Patience and cooperation from the (city) council, city leadership and Ryan Companies prevailed. I look forward to celebrating the groundbreaking ceremony in 2025.”

Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies is the developer behind Brookings Marketplace. His efforts were the latest years-long attempts to convert former South Dakota Department of Transportation land into economically viable land — and now they’re finally paying off.

City Manager Paul Briseno, contacted by the Brookings Register, said Target was attracted to the city for a variety of reasons.

“They identified us as the place they wanted to build – so we didn’t contact them,” he said. “They studied us. They identified us because of everything we have here in Brookings – including the quality of life, economy and revenue potential here in Brookings and the surrounding area.”

Briseno added, “We’re not actually doing anything to woo them, but we’re excited to partner with them in this endeavor and we’re excited for them to come to Brookings.”

Target’s popularity is well known in Brookings. Since 2013, it has been the number chosen by respondents to a Brookings Economic Development Corp. survey. most requested retailers. In 2024 and 2019, Target, Aldi, and Kohl’s were the three most popular options (in order).

“Our community members have asked for diverse shopping and national brand retail options, and the City Council and staff are proud to honor that request,” Deputy Mayor Nick Wendell said in the release. “I know residents of Brookings and surrounding communities will be thrilled to no longer have to drive nearly an hour to shop at two of their favorite stores. Shoppers will benefit, and the city of Brookings will benefit because we reduce the retail losses that occur when people leave the city to shop.”

According to Target’s website, the Minneapolis-based company currently has nearly 2,000 stores across the United States. About 30 are located near university campuses. Aldi’s website says it has more than 2,000 grocery stores in 36 states.

The two-year development of the Brookings Marketplace will generate an estimated $80.9 million in immediate economic benefits, a portion of which will come in the form of 311 construction jobs per year. According to the city, 148 jobs will be created in the long term. Overall, this means additional revenue for Brookings, money that goes toward supporting public safety, public works, and parks and recreation.

In the press release, Niemeyer and Wendell agreed that the development of Brookings Marketplace reflects the city’s continued commitment to economic development.

“The Marketplace development is a testament to the vitality of Brookings and I expect it will attract more businesses to our community,” Wendell said. “I also have no doubt it will benefit existing businesses by attracting more buyers to the city. As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats.”

Niemeyer called the Marketplace development a “once-in-a-generation project.”

“The Brookings Marketplace development project represents an investment in the Brookings community and has the potential to deliver significant economic, social and quality of life improvements,” he said.

When asked about the construction timeline, Briseno said several factors come into play, including, unsurprisingly, South Dakota weather and seasonal changes.

“We expect it to be sometime in 2026, but (Target) really hasn’t given any official word (yet) on when it plans to open because the construction season is so difficult here in South Dakota,” he said. “What we do know is that Ryan Companies plans to open the location next spring as soon as the ground thaws.”

Finally, Briseno said in the release that the city will continue to work closely with Ryan Companies and the Marketplace tenants to ensure a strong community partnership.

“Brookings is open for business and we look forward to continuing to be the first choice for businesses of all types to expand into,” he said.

– Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].