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Downtown Pittsburgh Target grand opening officially one week away

PITTSBURGH — In just a matter of days, Target will officially open its doors here in the old Kaufmann’s building — bringing new life to downtown Pittsburgh.

The grand opening for this new Target on Fifth Avenue and Smithfield Street is set for Sunday, July 17.

It’s a long time coming for these college students who live in the city.

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“I am so excited for it. Just because it’s gonna be a whole lot closer and it’s gonna be easier to get things we need especially being an acting student you need some really crazy things and it’s a hassle take the bus all the way to Shadyside so having it here will be so much more helpful,” Carissa Sanden said.

This Target is a smaller-format store, designed for urban areas.

RELATED >> Much-anticipated downtown Pittsburgh Target officially opening doors mid-July

It’ll occupy about 22,000 square feet of the landmark building — that’s roughly one-quarter the size of a traditional suburban Target store.

But a real plus is the food market.

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“It’s like a five minute walk to the dorm. It’s gonna be so much easier to get school supplies groceries and random props or clothes or something we need for our scenes,” Cheyenne Squire said.

“You gotta take a bus to South side or North shore to get any kind of groceries and I can be a whole days trip. So just to walk a block away and have it saves so much time,” Sanden said.

Channel 11 spoke with business owners who hope Target will have a positive impact to this once bustling retail district — and give people more reasons to come downtown.

A Target spokesperson told us a soft opening is planned for Tuesday.