Target Stores Are Targeting Nashville’s Suburbs

Whether you live in Middle Tennessee, or you’re just passing through and want to shop at America’s BEST department store: Target, you don’t have to look too hard…

The Target store off Mallory Lane has been a staple in the Cool Springs area for years. But this year, three NEW Target stores have sprouted up in the trendy Nashville suburbs surrounding Cool Springs:

• Franklin, Tennessee (Parkway Commons, opened March 2005)
• Brentwood, Tennessee (The Shoppes of Brentwood Hills, opened July 2005)
• Spring Hill, Tennessee (near Town Center, opening date TBA)

“The median age of a Target customer is 45 with a $57,000 median household income. 90% of customers are female, 39% have children at home and 44% have completed college.” Source

About The Franklin Target Store
The Target store in Franklin is 125,000 square feet and is located in the shopping center called Parkway Commons.

It primarily serves the residents of Franklin, Tennessee and their neighbors to the south, in Spring Hill and Thompson’s Station.

The Franklin Target store was built near the site of a Civil War battlefield (Franklin Battlefield where the Battle of Franklin, TN took place), which caused a bit of controversy during the build process. Specifically, the shopping plaza was constructed on 48 acres of historic undeveloped land associated with a march toward Federal lines on the afternoon of November 30, 1864. About 31,000 Confederate soldiers under General John Bell Hood faced 26,000 Union troops under General John M. Schofield, with more than 6,000 soldiers dying in the battle; a major defeat for the Confederates. (The battle itself took place near the Country Club of Franklin and Carnton Plantation.)

Now that the Target store is in place, Franklin citizens and Civil War preservationists are focusing their attention on nearby historic zoning issues. That, and whether or not to widen Columbia Avenue — the main road which runs directly in front of the Target shopping center, and connects downtown Franklin to Spring Hill, Tennessee.

About The Brentwood Target Store
The Target store in Brentwood is 138,000 square feet and located in a shopping plaza called “The Shoppes of Brentwood Hills“.

The Brentwood Target store is actually situated in south Davidson County near the line separating Williamson and Davidson counties — which is technically in Nashville’s city limits, not Brentwood’s. However, it primarily serves Williamson County residents who reside in the Brentwood area, and the store address even says Brentwood.

For the record, this is the fastest-growing segment of Davidson County.

Like Franklin’s, this Target store was not built without its fair share of controversy… First, there were the environmental issues surrounding a relocated creek on the property. Then, there were the neighbors who resisted “big box” retail development in the area.

Now that it’s all said & done, The Shoppes of Brentwood Hills appears to be “a thriving retail center” and most people are focusing on the positives about the new shopping plaza.

About The Spring Hill Target Store

There’s still a lot of speculation at this point as to the specifics.

It looks like GBT is the developer in question, and somewhere near the corner of Saturn Parkway and Main Street is the soon-to-be location of the new Target store in Spring Hill.

“96% of people recognize the bullseye [logo], even nudging out the apple and the swoosh!” Source

Retail Shopping in Williamson County
Did you know that Williamson County has the largest retail square-footage in Middle Tennessee? Me neither.

—> Here’s a summary of how retail shopping has changed in Williamson County in recent years, including all the hottest shopping spots in Williamson County.

—> Here are some fun facts about Nashville’s retail market, including Brentwood, Franklin, and Spring Hill.

“Upscale discounter celebrates most grand openings in its history.” Plus, more new Target stores on the horizon…

What I Learned Today:

• The Target stores in Franklin and Brentwood each took about a year to build.
• Parkway Commons is one of the first major shopping centers developed under the City of Franklin’s new design standards, which call for buildings to “blend” with historic downtown buildings. The new standards also mandate more brick on exteriors, breaking up large facades, a 20-ft. limit on lighting heights and heavy landscaping.
• Today, Target operates more than 1,300 stores in 47 states, including over 140 SuperTarget stores that add an upscale grocery shopping experience.
• Believe it or not, Target’s history is somewhat interesting… especially thanks to their interactive online experience.Fun Things To See & Do In Nashville Suburbs
  • Franklin, Tennessee
  • Brentwood, Tennessee
  • Spring Hill, Tennessee