It’s a blow to southwest Michigan retail. WSJM News has learned the Target store in Benton Township is closing. We’ve been told by multiple employees, including a manager, the store on Fairplain Drive will shut down on February 3. The news comes on the same day at least one other Target closing, in Kansas, was announced. Target corporate has yet to offer us any further details regarding why the Benton Harbor location has been selected for closure, and we’ll be following up on that in the coming days. WSJM News has reached out to Rob Cleveland of Cornerstone Alliance and he says, “Cornerstone Aliance has not received any notification or confirmation of a store closing. However, if this is the case, and we hope it is not, our primary focus will always be on those who unfortunately will lose their jobs. Our workforce partner, Kinexus, has programs in place to help displaced workers.” He went on to say, “Cornerstone Alliance will collaborate with the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce as well as Benton Charter Township, Kinexus, and the owner of Fairplain Plaza, Lormax Stern, to work quickly to fill any vacant space so it continues to provide maximum benefit to our residents.” CNN Money reports 2017 has seen the announcement of more retail closings than any previous year on record. WSJM has been told Target owns the location it occupies, and the store closing is expected to be a hard blow for the rest of the plaza. We’ll continue to follow up on this story as more details become available.
