The Fascinating History Behind Target, The Most Iconic Brand To Come Out Of Minnesota
By Betsy Rathburn|Published June 06, 2020
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
There are many world-famous brands to come out of Minnesota. We’ve already covered the history of Wheaties, one of the most famous Minnesota creations. But there’s still another brand that is just as beloved as the classic cereal: Target. There’s one in every state, and millions of people shop there every day. But what is the history of this famous Minnesota brand? Read on below to learn about Target’s early days and how it went from a local shop to an internationally recognized, multi-billion-dollar brand.
Most of us know Target as the go-to place to get everything we need - and plenty of stuff we don't need. But how did this now-famous brand begin?
The history of Target begins in 1902, when George Dayton founded Goodfellow Dry Goods, later known as the Dayton Company. The original building that housed their flagship department store still stands in downtown Minneapolis today.
Dayton's was extremely successful, weathering such crises as the Great Depression and both World Wars. By the 1950s, began to expand rapidly. It built Southdale Center in Edina, opening its second department store there.
Through the 1960s, Target expanded into other parts of the United States. Colorado became the second state to get Target stores in 1966. Expansions to other states followed.
By the 1970s, Target became Dayton's biggest revenue producer. By 1979, there were 80 Target stores across the United States. The 1980s saw continued expansion, as well as new formats for Target stores. The brands that Target stores carried helped the company become a serious competitor to other major retailers.
The 1990s and 2000s paved the way to the Target stores many of us know and love today. It is one of Minnesota's most famous companies, and it is loved by many around the United States.
