Is Super Target Coming to Midway Shopping Center?

How about this big box swap.

Walmart is building a new store across from its current Missouri Avenue location where a Kmart once was. Then, the former Walmart space could become a Costco.

At the other side of the intersection, an aged strip center could be the site of a Super Target and possibly other retailers.

Sounds like a win for value-conscious consumers.

While plans are in the works to redevelop the Midway Shopping Center, according to Teresa Brydon, director of economic development for Largo, nothing official is yet submitted to the city and there is no talk of a Super Target going there.

“(The plaza is) getting ready to undergo major renovation,” Brydon said. “I think we’re going to see a lot of changes to that corner in the next three to six months.”

And when Walmart moves, the company still has a five-year lease on the space it is leaving, she said.

Brydon said that the strip center space is too small for a Super Target, and with the trends in retail, the company is more likely to expand into Canada.

“To our knowledge... there’s no Super Target,” Brydon said.

A sign recently placed on the front window at Shapes, in the shopping center, let members know the facility would be closing in the next 60 days. Its lease was unexpectantly terminated.

Whispers around the Shapes gym are that a Kohls Department store and a Super Target could come to the redeveloped space. And a Costco could come nearby, too.

“We are very unhappy & sad to tell you that the Largo location will be closing down,” the note read. “But please know we had no warning either.”

Brydon said any talk of moving a Costco in when Walmart moves out would have to wait until the five-year lease there expires or is terminated.

There is also talk of development of the grassy lot next to the Midway Shopping Center site, where the Builder's Square used to be, Brydon said.

George Trujillo, director of sales and leasing with Primerica, which owns the 7.65-acre lot, said the company is in talks with some potential retailers recently, but still nothing official there either.

“I think it’s finally going to happen in that area,” Trujillo said. “When we don’t know, what we don’t know but it just feels like it’s prime for it.”

*updated 11:23 a.m. April 3, 2013 to reflect the name of the plaza is Midway Shopping Center. A different name was provided by the city. 

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