Now, when I make a Target run, I shop at what the company calls a "small-format store" designed specifically for urban neighborhoods.
After announcing nine store closures in four metro areas due to rising retail crime in October, including one location in Manhattan, many Target stores are also ramping up their security with more items stored on locked shelves.
It's been a few years since I've shopped at a larger Target store outside of New York City. On a recent visit home to Wisconsin, I decided to return to the suburban Target of my youth to compare the two locations and shopping experiences.
First, I visited my local Target in Washington Heights — one of 10 locations in Manhattan.
Outside Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Shoppers take an escalator to reach the 25,000-square-foot store.
Escalators at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Inside, a New York City-inspired mural adorned one of the walls.
A mural at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Large windows featured views of the busy intersection below.
The view from the window at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Plastic carry-out bags are banned in New York City, and stores like Target charge 5 cents for reusable bags if you don't bring your own. A sign reminded me of this at the entrance of the store.
Baskets at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
The store had a few small shopping carts, but most people carried items around in baskets or reusable bags.
Metal detectors at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
The aisles were short and narrow, but contained a wide variety of items.
Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
A small home aisle sold housewares like towels, soap dispensers, and garbage cans.
The home aisle at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
A sign at the front had explained that "secured shelves" helped keep items from getting stolen, and I saw examples of this around the store.
A sign explaining secured shelves at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Many items were locked in cases that required an employee to open.
A secured ice cream freezer at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Baby formula was locked up with a sign reading that due to "high demand and limited inventory," customers could only purchase four per person.
Baby formula at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Personal hygiene products like toothpaste and deodorant were also kept behind lock and key.
Toothpaste at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Towards the back of the store, a CVS pharmacy offered prescription pick ups and vaccine appointments.
CVS pharmacy at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
The small New York City store featured some produce and pantry essentials, but not a full grocery selection.
Produce at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
A gallon of Target's Good and Gather brand milk cost $3.99.
Milk at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
There were more self-checkout kiosks than cashiers to keep the constantly forming lines moving.
Checkout at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
The small-format Target still served as a one-stop shop, even though it required employees unlocking many of the shelves.
Aisles at Target in New York City.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
While I grew up in Wisconsin, I hadn't been to a suburban Target in the Midwest for years and was excited to revisit one.
Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
I visited a location in Grafton, Wisconsin, about 20 miles north of Milwaukee, which proved much quieter than the busy streets of New York City.
The parking lot at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
I noticed that the shopping carts were much larger than the ones in New York.
Carts at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
The store also had public restrooms, which my local New York City Target didn't have.
Restrooms at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
I'd forgotten about how suburban Target locations often have Starbucks cafes inside.
Starbucks at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
At 104,000 square feet, the Wisconsin Target was more than double the size of the small-format store in Manhattan.
Aisles at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
The home section consisted of several aisles of decor and furniture in addition to the basics stocked at the Target in New York.
Home goods at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
The grocery section was also much larger, with dozens of wide aisles full of produce, meat, frozen foods, and pantry staples.
Groceries at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
A gallon of milk at the Midwestern Target was cheaper, priced at $3.29.
Milk at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
The CVS pharmacy was about the same size in both locations.
A CVS pharmacy at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
In addition to a larger selection of clothing, the Target in Wisconsin had dressing rooms, which Target in New York did not.
Dressing rooms at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
The most stark difference between the stores, aside from the size, was the fact that none of the items in the Midwest were locked up.
Toothpaste at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Even the baby formula, which was restricted to four per person in both stores, remained open and accessible on the shelves.
Baby formula at Target in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
Plastic bags haven't been banned in Wisconsin, so the Target there didn't charge for reusable bags.
Plastic Target bags in Wisconsin.
Talia Lakritz/Insider
With more space, additional amenities, and no locked shelves, Target in the Midwest felt like a completely different store.
Частные объявления в Вашем городе, в Вашем регионе и в России
Smi24.net — ежеминутные новости с ежедневным архивом. Только у нас — все главные новости дня без политической цензуры. "123 Новости" — абсолютно все точки зрения, трезвая аналитика, цивилизованные споры и обсуждения без взаимных обвинений и оскорблений. Помните, что не у всех точка зрения совпадает с Вашей. Уважайте мнение других, даже если Вы отстаиваете свой взгляд и свою позицию. Smi24.net — облегчённая версия старейшего обозревателя новостей 123ru.net. Мы не навязываем Вам своё видение, мы даём Вам срез событий дня без цензуры и без купюр. Новости, какие они есть —онлайн с поминутным архивом по всем городам и регионам России, Украины, Белоруссии и Абхазии. Smi24.net — живые новости в живом эфире! Быстрый поиск от Smi24.net — это не только возможность первым узнать, но и преимущество сообщить срочные новости мгновенно на любом языке мира и быть услышанным тут же. В любую минуту Вы можете добавить свою новость - здесь.
