The goal is to open a 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 at the Brookings Marketplace development.

News of the 127,000-square-foot store, which will be the development’s anchor tenant, broke Monday afternoon after final signatures and a filing with the Brookings County Register of Deeds Office. The other announced store at the development is national grocer Aldi, with two smaller stores expected to fill the 18.53-acre site north of Sixth Street just east of its Interstate 29 interchange.

“I am extremely 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 management and the Ryan Companies have prevailed. I look forward to celebrating the groundbreaking in 2025.”

Ryan Companies, based in Minneapolis, is the developer behind Brookings Marketplace. Its efforts were the latest in years of attempts to turn the former South Dakota Department of Transportation land into something economically viable — and now it’s finally paying off.

City Manager Paul Briseno said when contacted by the Brookings Register that Target has been attracted to the city for a variety of reasons.

“They identified us as a place they want to build — so we didn’t reach out to them,” he said. “They studied us. They identified us because everything we have here in Brookings — including the quality of life, the economy and the potential for sales here in Brookings and the area as well.”

Briseno added, “Really, it’s not something we’re doing to woo them, although we’re happy to partner with them in this endeavor, and we’re really excited for them to come to Brookings.”

Target’s popularity is well known in Brookings. Since 2013, it has been the top retailer requested by respondents in a Brookings Economic Development Corp. survey. In 2024 and in 2019, the top three picks, in order, have been Target, Aldi and Kohl’s.

“Our community members have been asking for diverse shopping and retail opportunities with national brands, and the City Council and staff are proud to deliver on that request,” Vice 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 retailers. Shoppers will benefit and the city of Brookings will benefit because we will reduce the retail leakage that occurs 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 near university campuses. As for Aldi, its website states that it has more than 2,000 grocery stores in 36 states.

The two-year development of Brookings Marketplace will have an immediate economic benefit of an estimated $80.9 million, some of which will come in the form of 311 construction-related jobs each year. In the long term, according to the city, 148 jobs will be created. All told, that means additional sales revenue for Brookings, funds that go to support public safety, public works, and parks and recreation.

In the 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 that it will benefit existing businesses, as it attracts more shoppers to the city. As they say, 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 it has the potential to bring significant economic, social and quality of life improvements,” he said.

When asked about a construction timeline, Briseno said several factors come into play, including, not surprisingly, South Dakota’s weather and seasonal changes.

“What we’re anticipating is sometime in 2026, but (Target) really (hasn’t) given official notice when they plan to open with the construction season being so difficult here in South Dakota,” he said. “What we do know is that Ryan Companies plans to start the site next spring as soon as the ground thaws.”

In conclusion, Briseno said in the release that the city will continue to work closely with Ryan Companies and the marketplace’s tenants to ensure a strong community partnership.

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

— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].