Bethesda Target opens early - and you're going inside (Photos)

The new Target store in downtown Bethesda had a soft-opening last night, complete with a DJ and celebratory cake. I now bring you the first images from inside the long-awaited store. Target is located in the Shops of Wisconsin at 6831 Wisconsin Avenue (a.k.a. Trader Joe's).

Target cake with Target
napkins

DJ

Escalators

The store's number - in balloons

Groceries

Wall art

Self-checkouts

Milk

CVS Pharmacy counter

Fresh copies of
Star Wars: Rogue One

A great selection of games
for downtown Bethesda

PS4 is well-represented,
as well

Starbucks inside Target

Target trucks continue to deliver inventory ahead of opening day (Photos)

There's only one way to stock the shelves and racks inside the new downtown Bethesda Target store before the grand opening on April 9, and Target 18-wheelers are quickly giving Teslas a run for their money as the most attention-getting vehicles in town. Here's one spotted arriving downtown along Wisconsin Avenue.

Left turn signal
activated as it approaches
the store

Climbing the hill
as it passes the future
Target storefront

Bethesda Target store loading in inventory for opening (Photos)

If you've been to Trader Joe's at the Shops of Wisconsin in recent days, you may have spotted a familiar 18-wheeler in the loading dock. Target is now moving inventory into its new store, which is scheduled to open April 9. It's kind of hard to be inconspicuous in a Target semi, though. No word if the truck drivers find parking at the shopping center any easier than customers do.

On to Rockville?

Top photo: Justin Fidler
Bottom photos: Robert Dyer

Target opening April 9 in downtown Bethesda (Photos)

Target has missed its March 2017 target opening date, and has now announced an April 9, 2017 grand opening on the front of the store. A hat tip to Cordell Pugh, who noticed the sign announcing the date having been added to the "Coming Soon" signage on Target's space at the Trader Joe's-anchored Shops of Wisconsin. Here's a look at the progress inside the store:

Target installs signage at future downtown Bethesda location (Photos)

The Target signage from last year's rendering of their future downtown Bethesda store is now mostly in place on the real thing. A large bullseye logo over an entranceway, a CVS Pharmacy sign, and a banner-style upright Target logo sign on the right side of the Shops of Wisconsin are up. Only 2 of the 3 were lit last night, and a fourth sign, reading "order pickup," is still missing.

Described by the struggling retailer as a smaller, "flexible format" store, Target is on track to open 30 such stores in urban areas and on college campuses this year. Our downtown Bethesda store is scheduled to open this month. As you can see, much is ready inside. Checkouts and cash registers are already in place. Shelving and racks are now being moved onto the floor.

Target is located at 6831 Wisconsin Avenue.

Target posts Coming Soon signage in Bethesda, Healthy Back store closing (Photos)

Target has put up its first official signage to announce its scheduled March 2017 arrival in downtown Bethesda, and that it is currently hiring. Meanwhile, a departing tenant on the same level of the Shops of Wisconsin is raising the question of whether the Target store may expand into that space, as well.

The Healthy Back store, adjacent to Target's space, is closing permanently.