It’s no secret that the most wonderful time of year is also the busiest time of year. But for the people of South Riding, Virginia, the holidays just got a bit easier, and a lot more joyful.
As a commuter community — home to many who take Route 50 to jobs over an hour away in Fairfax — South Riding residents were used to commuting just as far to their nearest Target, but not anymore. Now, their growing community is served by their very own store.
Getting to this point required months of hard work transforming a blank, empty space into a Target built to meet South Riding’s needs: 148,000 square feet that includes a CVS pharmacy, Starbucks Cafe, an Apple at Target and Disney store at Target, and 13,000 square feet of fresh and affordable food. It’s an elevated shopping experience, just in time for the holidays.
This is 60% larger than a standard Target grocery area, so we’ve been able to make us even more of a one-stop destination for our guests. It also creates some good moments between our team and our guests — because we’re carrying products they’ve probably never seen in a Target before.
As Target tracks to open more than 300 new stores in the next decade, we’re bringing our exclusive collections, personalized deals and year-round joyful shopping experience to more communities like South Riding — as well as good jobs working with great people. With 18 new stores opened this year, 90 stores remodeled and so much more to come in 2026, we’re getting closer to more consumers and our goal.
Building South Riding’s Target
At nearly 150,000 square feet, our newest Virginia store reflects Target’s focus on larger formats to fit more of what guests love and deliver an elevated shopping experience: our exclusive, on-trend merchandise, fast and easy fulfillment services and friendly team members.
Trailers of product to stock the store before the grand opening
Square-foot food and beverage section
Staffed checkout lanes
Express Self-Checkout lanes
Drive Up stalls
Team members
Training the team
Just as important as building and filling the store? Building and training our best-in-the-industry team. Preparing South Riding for guests required hiring 170 team members ready to deliver joy, just as the holidays were about to heat up. The good news is the community had plenty of local talent — including students from high schools and nearby colleges.
“They bring a different type of energy,” says Amber V., executive team lead of human resources for the store.
Amber V. explains how new team members are supported.
A lot of them, this is their first job. So just ensuring that they know what they're doing, making sure that they understand their role so that they can be successful, and then we're showing up for them so that they see that we're invested in their training and their development, and then they're showing up for our guest.
Dayana F. is one of the recruits. Today she’s South Riding’s general merchandise team expert, but like many of her fellow team members, she started her Target story as a guest. As a trainer, she shows new team members how to get the general merchandise categories ready for guests — making sure signage is clearly visible, then organizing and zoning sections like home goods, toys and, of course, seasonal holiday.
Having this community connection makes for a stronger guest connection.
“We have different people from different communities,” Dayana says. “Seeing people from their same community working in a store that they like to shop in will make them feel comfortable and really welcome to shop.”
New Store Opening Executive Morena C. spent months with the South Riding team overseeing everything from product deliveries — up to 10 trailers worth a week — to hiring and training.
Morena C. shares her favorite role.
One of the most fulfilling things for me has been I love to teach. I love to train. Seeing how eye opening it is for them and learning all these new skills, I think that is the most fulfilling thing that I do as part of my role.
Ready to deliver
Right before each new Target store opens, it hosts a Very Important Guest event. Typically, in attendance: team members and their families, local leaders and our construction and supply partners, all celebrating the successful journey. The vibe at South Riding’s VIG event? Pure excitement. A high school marching band paraded down the aisles, store and community leaders gave speeches and Bullseye the Target mascot provided good cheer.
It’s going to be just a great amenity for people in our community — being able to shop right here at home without the long drive. It’ll be part of our daily routine now, and a big relief for anyone who spends too much time sitting in traffic.
Fast forward to today, and the team hasn’t skipped a beat — delivering the holiday magic in South Riding. All across the country, that same energy is building as we gear up to open our 2,000th store, continuing Target’s story of great finds, good jobs and community connection.
