Small town charm, college life and miles of natural beauty: Cookeville has so much to offer the people who call it home. It’s at the midpoint between city and country, only an hour from the bustle of Nashville — and within reach of tumbling rivers, wooded trails, canyon gorges and more than 150 waterfalls.
And now there’s something new: Cookeville has Target, with its unique mix of affordable essentials, delightfully unexpected exclusives and easy, inspiring and friendly shopping, right within its borders.
For Cookeville native Ashley J., the store’s arrival is especially meaningful. Before it opened this October, her Target runs meant a 90-minute drive. When she heard a store was coming to her hometown, Ashley jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it — becoming its first team member and helping bring Target to the community she calls home.
It’s a community where everyone is very kind and friendly. Someone would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. So, Cookeville is just like the heart of Tennessee.
At approximately 128,000 square feet, Cookeville’s Target features our newest expanded selection of fresh and affordable produce, meat and dairy. Guests can grab a drink from its Starbucks Café while they browse, or save time with Drive Up, Order Pickup or same-day delivery with Target Circle 360.
It’s one of eight new stores we are opening this fall, and among more than 30 planned for 2026. From North Carolina to Utah to New York, each brings our elevated shopping experience and signature mix of style, design and value, while creating good-paying jobs and building community connections. Together, they move us closer to our plan to grow by 300 new stores by 2035, and reach millions more guests across the U.S.
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Target in Tennessee
Built for busy families
For Store Director Holly C., the new store is about more than bringing Target closer to home. It’s about making everyday life a little easier for the people who live in Cookeville. As both a store leader and a Target guest, Holly knows how busy families appreciate having quality, value and convenience all in one place, with a friendly team ready to help.
As a new mom, Holly appreciates the store’s expanded assortment of baby products, along with options for everyday essentials in health and wellness, food, toys and more. Students at nearby Tennessee Tech University can get everything they need for the school day or game day. And busy families can stock up on fresh and frozen foods, kids apparel and home essentials and more — with same-day services added to the convenience.
A one-stop shop for busy families
It's important for busy families because this store and its layout is very much like a one-stop shop. You can come here and get any of your clothing needs. You can get any of your food needs. You can get any of your household products, beauty products. It's all right in this store. And you can do it all as quickly or as slow as you want it.
You can come in and shop at your pace, get a Starbucks and just kind of browse, or you can come in and grab exactly what you need and get out.
Opening doors close to home
While the new store makes shopping easier for Cookeville guests, it's also opening doors for the people who work there.
For Holly, who joined Target about five years ago, opening a new store had been a long-time goal. She's now helping others discover their own opportunities, building a team of 150 and creating a culture where everyone can learn, grow and feel supported. About 90% of the store’s team members are new to Target, giving them the chance to build something special together from day one.
“There’s just something about starting with a clean slate, coming into a new community and being able to impact that community by giving people new opportunities.”
— Holly C., store director, Target’s store in Cookeville, Tennessee
Opportunity knocking
I think Target’s going to impact my career in a way that I truly didn’t see possible. Even since being here for the short amount of time I have, there’s been doors opened and new relationships and connections made that are really going to set me up for success in the future.
A community meets its Target
The spirit of connection extends beyond the store’s doors.
Even before welcoming their first guests, Target’s Cookeville team had been finding ways to give back to the community. Team members have volunteered with the local Humane Society, while the store is supporting local nonprofits with Target GiftCard donations. It’s part of Target’s long-standing commitment to Tennessee, where nearly 5,000 team members across 32 stores strengthen the communities they serve through volunteering and local partnerships.
As the busy holiday season approaches, the team is now ready to show up for Cookeville. Whether guests are stopping in for essentials, browsing for gifts or making their first Target run, they’ll find a shopping experience that is easy, inspiring and friendly.
“We’re excited,” says Kathy T., service and engagement team leader. “We’re working towards the same goal, and it feels like a family already.”
