Target Signed Lease Memo for Antique Center on August 1st – Despite Denials to the Contrary at Two Public Meetings
By Chuck Thassing
On Tuesday, August 1st of 2017, the Target Corporation quietly signed on the bottom line, to lease the Antique Center location on Newport Avenue of our beloved Ocean Beach. Target’s lease extends through 2027, with the option to extend in increments until the year 2051. The document further states the “Tenant may use the Premises for any lawful Retail Use.” Our source obtained this information from a lease agreement filed with the county.
This signing occurred a day before members of our Ocean Beach Planning Board hosted the 1st community meeting to discuss the prospect of Target Express. The room filled to capacity with over 240 concerned residents. Target representatives and the property owner were in attendance. They answered questions and faced some hostility from an crowd which overwhelmingly objected to Target placing its bullseye on Newport Avenue.
3 weeks later after the lease was already signed, OB Town Council President Gretchen Newsom struck the gavel to open their monthly public meeting, also focused on Target Express. Kim, a real estate director for Target, began by representing to the audience that they were “considering a new store opportunity in Ocean Beach” and they are “in discussions with the owners of the Newport Avenue Antique Center”. Specific feedback and requests from the community members were met with predictably non-committal responses. She mentioned goals of hiring local residents, and discussions with neighboring store owners on how to complement, rather than compete for business. Some other notable comments from Kim:
“We want to hear from you so that we understand if we come to your community, what the needs and wants of the community are.”
“We’re here as a courtesy because we respect OB”
And regarding a pointed question about the lease:
“We do not have any completed documents today… that’s why we’re here doing our due diligence.”
Personally, I am on the fence regarding having a Target Express on Newport. I realize there are unmet needs for certain products locally, but I also appreciate the small town sanctity of OB and the distaste for corporate chains. In a perfect world, a locally-owned business (or several) would set up shop there and check off all those boxes.
But instead we have Target. And they’re off to a heck of a start. I realize this is a private transaction and they are under no legal obligation to involve the community at all. But they did, and in the process they lied to our elected community leaders and wasted our time. It is clear now this was nothing more than a charade; there was never a discussion to be had. Any neighboring business owners that got verbal assurances from Target probably shouldn’t take that to the bank either. Apparently their word isn’t worth much.
Enjoy your antique liquidation sale folks. Target on Newport is a done deal and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Too bad you folks have appeared having been slipped a Mickey! Danny SD CC D2 candidate and why did Frank Gormlie give me a bad read? Does anyone in OB seek truth or are you all just blinded by personalities! No Target in OB!! Danny D2 SD CC
Daniel, did not give you a “bad read” and getting a little tired of you continuing to push your name in comments to any and every article. Instead of announcing your candidacy every hour, how about doing something for the communities you wish to represent? What have you done for OB or Pt Loma, for instance?
Danny, you are exactly what OBecians stand against. And once folks realize what you stand for, you will have NO chance. Drop out now. Do us all a favor.
Danny, I’m not sure what your comment really has to do with Target, but it sounds like you should join the protest next Wednesday evening and meet some community members.
I think it would be helpful if you drafted an article presenting your platform and solutions, and why D2 voters should support you.
Correction, I guess the protest is tomorrow evening actually.
I do not want to sound like a Target supporter. But what makes you think Target corporate management told the Target people at the Planning Board and Town Council that the lease had already been signed? Corporate reality is different from real reality.
It says Kim is a “regional real estate director”.
The signee James Tucker is a “senior real estate director”. Her boss?
Or do you think they just forgot to tell her they signed the lease and let her parade around town for 3 weeks?
Seems like a real stretch to claim ignorance, and not sure that makes it any easier to swallow.
For once I agree with you. Who knew what when doesn’t really matter. It’s a done deal.
OB Rag just received this email from Kristy of Target:
Hello,
I wanted to reach out to OB Rag again with Target’s latest statement as I know you posted a story yesterday about the potential Target store in Ocean Beach.
As you’ll see in our statement, Target has an agreement with the landlord, conversations are ongoing and nothing is final.
Please let me know if you’d be willing to update your story with Target’s statement.
Thank you,
Kristy
Target continues to do our due diligence to engage and listen with businesses, leaders and officials in the Ocean Beach community for a potential Target store location. Conversations are ongoing and nothing is final.
What I can share is that Target has an agreement with the landlord that allows Target the flexibility to proceed or not proceed with a potential store at this Ocean Beach location.
What we have previously shared in community meetings earlier this month still stands, which is that we’re continuing to listen to community feedback that could inform Target’s plans for a small-format store in Ocean Beach. At this point in the process, there is nothing official to share about new store plans.
Hahaha. Let Target deal with the Troll Camps then. You can be sure they’ll be right in their express doorways.