Target in the Midwest (left) and New York City.
I visited two Target stores, one in Wisconsin and one in New York City, to see how they compared.The Target in New York was a smaller store where many items were secured on locked shelves.In the Midwest, Target was much larger and featured a Starbucks, dressing rooms, and bathrooms.
Now, when I make a Target run, I shop at what the company calls a “small-format store” designed specifically for urban neighborhoods.
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.
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Shoppers take an escalator to reach the 25,000-square-foot store.
Escalators at Target in New York City.
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Inside, a New York City-inspired mural adorned one of the walls.
A mural at Target in New York City.
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Large windows featured views of the busy intersection below.
The view from the window at Target in New York City.
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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.
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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.
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The aisles were short and narrow, but contained a wide variety of items.
Target in New York City.
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A small home aisle sold housewares like towels, soap dispensers, and garbage cans.
The home aisle at Target in New York City.
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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.
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Many items were locked in cases that required an employee to open.
A secured ice cream freezer at Target in New York City.
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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.
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Personal hygiene products like toothpaste and deodorant were also kept behind lock and key.
Toothpaste at Target in New York City.
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Towards the back of the store, a CVS pharmacy offered prescription pick ups and vaccine appointments.
CVS pharmacy at Target in New York City.
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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.
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A gallon of Target’s Good and Gather brand milk cost $3.99.
Milk at Target in New York City.
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There were more self-checkout kiosks than cashiers to keep the constantly forming lines moving.
Checkout at Target in New York City.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I noticed that the shopping carts were much larger than the ones in New York.
Carts at Target in Wisconsin.
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The store also had public restrooms, which my local New York City Target didn’t have.
Restrooms at Target in Wisconsin.
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I’d forgotten about how suburban Target locations often have Starbucks cafes inside.
Starbucks at Target in Wisconsin.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A gallon of milk at the Midwestern Target was cheaper, priced at $3.29.
Milk at Target in Wisconsin.
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The CVS pharmacy was about the same size in both locations.
A CVS pharmacy at Target in Wisconsin.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Plastic bags haven’t been banned in Wisconsin, so the Target there didn’t charge for reusable bags.
Plastic Target bags in Wisconsin.
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With more space, additional amenities, and no locked shelves, Target in the Midwest felt like a completely different store.
Outside Target in Wisconsin.
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