By CRAIG D. SCHENCK
Sentinel staff
SOMERS POINT — “We are very excited to have Target in Somers Point and wish them all the best,” Mayor Jack Glasser said during a ceremony to welcome the store’s opening Tuesday, Oct. 19.
City officials gathered with representatives of Target, members of the business community and happy shoppers at the store’s new location at Somers Point Plaza.
Owned by Brahin Properties, the shopping center between Route 9 and Bethel Road has been one of the main retail complexes in the city since the 1960s. Jamesway was the main anchor in the 1980s, later giving way to Kmart, which Target replaced. Other shops in the 279,026-square-foot complex include PetSmart, Big Lots, The Hub, West Marine, Verizon and Payless. In all, there are more than 25 retail businesses.
Lee Brahin, whose family owns the property, said they were pleased to land such a quality tenant.
“When Kmart vacated, we were looking for a replacement tenant. At one point we couldn’t find somebody to take up the entire space and were looking for junior anchors,” he said. “We were fortunate enough to get Target interested in the property. Initially they were just looking for a smaller piece of it but as we talked, they agreed that it would be best for everybody to take the whole space.”
He said Target agreed to make improvements throughout the complex, including a new façade, upgraded lighting and paving.
“You can see the improvements throughout the whole facility, it looks great,” Brahin said. “This is really going to drive a lot more traffic into the center, into Somers Point, into the other stores hopefully for the long term.”
That sentiment was echoed by many involved.
Glasser said people gravitate toward Somers Point because it has terrific amenities, such as ShopRite, Acme, Shore Medical Center, Greate Bay County Club and “the best restaurants in the area.”
“This enhances that and brings in more to Somers Point,” Glasser said.
He noted the closest other Target store is in Mays Landing, saying he expects everyone to the south to now visit the Somers Point location.
“It’s so immense for Somers Point, and all of the stores here in this plaza and surrounding will benefit from this because people will come and see the other things Somers Point has to offer and go there,” Glasser said, noting it also would improve the overall business climate, encouraging other businesses to open as well.
“Other towns have their draw, but there is something special about Somers Point that we have so much to offer,” he said.
Store Director Carlos Alvarez said they have hired more than 200 workers and expect more to come.
“It’s been like a journey we have gone through for the past weeks and months to get ready to open,” Alvarez said. “We are super excited to be part of the community and your shopping destination going forward.”
The entire City Council, along with other officials and volunteer board members, was present to welcome the store to the city.
John Helbig, chairman of the city’s Economic Development Advisory Commission, was pleased to see the store open.
“It sets the standard for the other businesses in our community. These folks have come in here and spent an enormous amount of money to upgrade this facility, hire staff, to bring in during the middle of a pandemic stuff to stock their shelves to get ready to open,” he said. “They accepted that challenge and I think they succeeded at it. I think only bright things are going to happen here because of this.”
City resident Shannon Segin was shopping with daughter Samantha Braun, 6, Joseph Garves and his mother, Andrea Garves.
“I think it’s amazing. I am so excited. We’ve been waiting forever for this,” Segin said. “It’s convenient, I live right up the street. I have a feeling we are going to be here a lot.”
