HERMITAGE, Pa. – Target will move forward with plans to open a store as part of the redevelopment of the former Shenango Valley Mall’s site, a spokesperson for the Minnesota-based retail chain confirmed Tuesday.
Though project renderings and even a construction permit application indicated that Target was the planned occupant for the proposed $16 million building, Tuesday’s emailed statement represents the first formal confirmation from the company itself.
“We’re excited to bring an easy, affordable and convenient shopping experience to new guests in the Hermitage community with this new Target store,” the spokesperson said in the email. “Located at the northeast corner of East State Street and North Hermitage Road, the store will be approximately 129,000 square feet. As we get closer to opening the store, we’ll have more specific details to share – including how the shopping experience will be tailored to serve local guests and the grand opening date.”
Both Gary Hinkson, Hermitage city manager, and Mark Longietti, director of business and community development for the city, welcomed the public confirmation of Target’s plans. The confirmation comes after recent postings on social media that indicated the retailer was canceling the project at what will be known as Hickory Fields.
“We are very excited to see Target come to our community. We believe they bring a strong brand that people in the region desire, and they will be an anchor for the Hickory Fields development,” Longietti said. He predicted the retailer would attract additional national restaurant and retail chains to the development.
“It is the first piece of an overall first-class retail development in the city center, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have the first piece begin to fall in place,” Hinkson said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Flicore LLC, a Pepper Pike, Ohio, developer of commercial space, purchased the former mall property through an affiliate in 2022. Company representatives outlined plans for Hickory Fields in January to members of the Hermitage Planning Commission. Other announced tenants for the site include Chili’s, Longhorn Steakhouse and Chick-fil-A.
“We continue to have significant interest in Hickory Fields and construction work should commence shortly,” Robert Abramovich, Flicore executive vice president, affirmed in an email Tuesday evening.
The existing structures on the mall property were demolished earlier this year. According to Hinkson, site preparation work for the building is expected to get underway in the next week or two, including elevating the ground level. Around the same time, a bid opening is expected for Hickory Fields Boulevard, running north from the East State Street roundabout through the development.
“We anticipate construction on the road beginning later this fall,” he said.
Pictured at top: A rendering of retail space at Hickory Fields.