Target closing handful of stores due to theft

Citing concerns for the safety of employees and customers, Target decided to close nine stores across the country.

The move will hit stores in four states, the big-box retailer announced Wednesday. Three of the stores are in Portland, Oregon, three in California’s Bay Area, two in the Seattle market and one in East Harlem in New York City. The closures will take effect on Oct. 21.

Business performance has been unsustainable at these stores because of theft and organized retail crime, Target said in its announcement. The retailer employed more security and retained third-party guard services to mitigate the issues at these stores, but ultimately decided not to keep them open.

Eligible employees will have the opportunity to transfer to other locations. More than 150 stores remain open in the affected markets.

Target didn’t disclose what is happening to the stores beyond their closures. The company likely doesn’t want to keep paying rent on spaces they no longer plan to use, but that’s something that would have to be worked out between tenant and landlord.

Target did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Real Deal.

The retailer opened at the East River Plaza in East Harlem in 2010, leasing 135,000 square feet at the shopping center, according to a previous report from the New York Times. It’s one of the anchor tenants of the six-story, 527,000-square-foot complex, alongside Costco and Burlington.

The shopping center was co-developed by Blumenfeld Development Group and Forest City Ratner, the latter since acquired by Brookfield Properties. Blumenfeld and Brookfield did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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