A full-size Target is coming to the southeast corner of Carolina Beach Road and Piner Road in Myrtle Grove. The site was cleared by late 2024, and construction activity has likely progressed since then, though the most recent satellite image is dated November 2024.
The new store will be approximately 128,000 square feet, making it a major addition to the Monkey Junction area. It’s located next to The Home Depot and across from Bojangles and Chipotle, forming a high-traffic retail hub.
Construction is underway but opening won’t happen in 2025
Some local sources initially reported a 2025 opening based on early Target communications. However, newer leasing documents now show a more realistic opening date of May 2026. The site was fully cleared as of November 2024, and construction equipment was already present at that time. There’s no confirmed vertical framing yet based on the most recent satellite image.
The site is part of a shopping center redevelopment led by Big V Property Group. Along with Target, the plan includes several outparcels for new tenants. The 128,000-square-foot Target is the anchor store and will likely drive additional foot traffic once it opens.
The land has changed a lot since the 1950s
In 1956, the area was fully forested with no nearby commercial activity. By 1982, the land had been partially cleared. The Home Depot building just north of the Target site was in place by 1993, while the Target parcel remained undeveloped for decades. Clearing finally began in 2024.
The building now occupied by Home Depot was already standing, but the Target lot remained undeveloped and unused.
The current development marks the largest retail expansion in Monkey Junction in years. With this new store, Target will have a stronger presence in Wilmington beyond its existing College Road location. Local customers should expect a standard-format Target store with a grocery section and drive-up pickup lanes once complete.
Last Updated on July 13, 2025 by F.E.M