Target backs out of Antioch

Disappointing sales and a housing market slump are prompting Target Corp. to scrap plans to build several new stores in the Chicago area.

The decision affects at least three communities, including Antioch, where Target was one of three anchor stores planned for the Antioch Marketplace project.

"Antioch Marketplace is in flux right now," said Mayor Dorothy Larson. "I can't speculate if the project will move forward. I would certainly hope so."

Minneapolis-based Target has also shelved plans for new stores in Morris and on Ashland Avenue in Chicago.

Delia McLinden, Target spokesperson, said the company still plans to open a store in the Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago.

"We have more store opportunities than we can pursue at this time," McLinden said. "We have to make sure it is a good fit for Target and the community, and right now, we have to be selective."

McLinden could not say if there was a specific reason why the company did not want to move to Antioch.

Developers from V-Land Corp. say they still plan to proceed with Antioch Marketplace, a 600,000-square-foot retail development along the north side of Route 173, just west of Wal-Mart. It would be the village's largest retail development.

Antioch officials gave V-Land preliminary approval for the project in October.

Developers have pledged $1.5 million per year in property taxes to the village, with $750,000 going to Antioch Elementary District 34 and $550,000 annually going to Antioch-Lake Villa Area High School District 117.

"All I can tell you is we are very much interested in figuring out a way to work with Target and keep them as part of the project," said Andrew Goodman, development manager.

Site plans for Antioch Marketplace show Target would have been built in a 132,156-square-foot building along the east side of the project.

Kohl's and Lowe's are also included in the plans. Goodman said both are still committed to the project.

Elisabeth Deluca, spokeswoman for Kohl's, said Thursday the company has not announced any plans to open a store in Antioch.

"We don't actually comment on real-estate speculation," Deluca said.

Officials from Lowe's could not be reached Thursday.

"There are a lot of stories flying around about retailers dropping locations all over the country," Goodman said. "We built this project around certain anchor tenants and do what we can to work with them."

Larson said if Wal-Mart is any indication, Target is making a mistake by not coming to Antioch.

"Wal-Mart has been very, very successful since it opened (in 2003)," Larson said. "If the rooftops here support Wal-Mart, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't support a store like Target."