Target Opening Ceremony Wows Crowd with Acrobats, Aerialists

It’s no surprise a crowd of roughly 300 people cheered and applauded during the opening celebration of Marin’s second Target store; the ribbon cutting ceremony included acrobats, a juggler, aerialists and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream sundae bar and fondue fountain. What's not to like? 

San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips and California State Assemblyman Marc Levine cut the ribbon with the help of a stilt walker Tuesday afternoon before the crowd, including the media, local leaders, Target employees and their family members, rushed inside.

Most of the first shoppers in the 137,000-square foot space — which officially opens to the public on Wednesday — seemed gleeful to be inside the new store, which includes a Starbucks, a café serving Pizza Hut and a Target Pharmacy.

But some community members may still have mixed feelings about the big-box retailer opening in San Rafael, 125 Shoreline Parkway. Efforts to open the store began in 2006 and were delayed first due to the slow economy and subsequently due to political opposition.

The store will have a staff of 300. While the hiring is still in process, a Target spokesperson said the “majority” of the employees are Marin residents.

The construction of the store — which included months of noisy pile driving — started earlier this year.

Target’s other location is in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center in Novato. The San Rafael waterfront location, in the Canal neighborhood, includes 500 parking spaces.

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