After months of speculation and rumors, the town has officially announced a new tenant for the former Walmart site on Boston Post Road. With a design and signage application filed with the town’s Design Review Committee (DRC) on July 12, Target appears committed to moving into the space.

According to plans submitted by the company to the DRC, the proposed store will encompass a 78,000-square-foot Target, including a CVS Pharmacy and a Starbucks outlet. Those same plans state that the expected opening of the site will be sometime in 2025.

The proposal submitted at the meeting also included detailed plans for signage at the plaza, including a 9-foot tall red Target sign of the company’s bulls-eye logo for the front of the building. A smaller CVS Pharmacy sign is also proposed for display on the exterior.

Dual Madison and Guilford Economic Development Director Sheri Cote said the news should be exciting for residents and noted she has been impressed with the company’s proposal so far.

“This is their preliminary proposal for a site plan and signage package. In my opinion, the Target proposal was very well thought out and very well done,” Cote said. “They took things to an additional level by proposing they restructure the crosswalk in front of the plaza where the entrance is, including the handicap ramps, and that’s something that they didn’t have to do. I think that goes to show they are committed to the town and willing to do what it takes to get approval and satisfy requirements. In general, I think the presentation was well received by Design Review.”

According to Cote, she has received numerous comments from Guilford residents since Walmart’s closing regarding the lack of a retailer in town that offers basic household goods and clothing options for customers.

“This will absolutely benefit the town. When we lost Walmart, we lost that one retailer that carried such a diverse variety of products,” said Cote. “Walmart offered things…that residents really can’t find anywhere else. When Walmart closed, it was my hope that we would attract a retailer like Target that would offer that same variety and that same diversity of products. We have great retailers in town, but many are catered to a specific clientele, so we really needed that type of diversity. And Target fits that bill. I think the residents of Guilford will appreciate having them here. And I am also excited that they will have a Starbucks in the store, so that is an added amenity for us.”

Cote said a store like Target will not only enhance the Shoreline Plaza’s customer base but will be an economic driver for the entire town.

“It’s certainly very good for the plaza in general, and I think it’s complimentary to the retail industry that we already have. Anything that is going to bring more people to town is good for our restaurants, our shops, and in getting people coming from out of the area to become more familiar with Guilford,” Cote said. “There is a big geography of residents from across the shoreline that we can attract to shopping in Guilford. They (Target representatives) did a great job with their proposal, and I’m happy they have started the process.”

Cote cautioned that no real estate accord is ever a “done deal” until contracts are signed and noted there are still a number of steps required before a Target will be approved and open for business.

“There is still some work to be done regarding the proposal. Some committee members had some suggestions for changes. So, Target has to take those under consideration and come back with a revised proposal,” said Cote. “In terms of whether it’s a done deal, no, it’s never a done deal, right? They are looking at an opening date of 2025, and there is a lot that needs to happen between now and then, and there’s a lot that can happen between now and then.”

First Selectman Matt Hoey said that a retailer providing this much-needed shopping resource is welcome news. He also cautioned that though all signs are indicating a deal is close, residents should understand there is still a long process to complete before any opening, much of which are matters the town is not a party to.

“We are thrilled that Target has expressed interest in populating that space. The presentation we saw yesterday before Design Review, I thought, was impressive. It was really well done, nice clean lines, and it constitutes an improvement over the way that facility currently looks. They are obviously, in some form, still in negotiations with the property owners. We have not been made aware of if, when, or where some type of lease will be signed, but I think it’s safe to assume that those conversations are taking place, and we’re hopeful that they will come to a successful conclusion shortly, and that we can start the process.” said Hoey.

Hoey added, “This is providing convenience and quality goods for our residents to access. You can’t get many of these kinds of household products in Guilford now, and you have to travel out of town to Branford, Clinton, or Old Saybrook to do so. It will be much more convenient for those here in town. The property owners now have a strong anchor tenant in that building…another impact will be jobs. Other merchants will benefit as well. Certainly, the plaza will see more traffic, and that will be great for those tenants. We also hope that they’ll come over to the downtown area and partake of one of our great restaurants or the shops around the Green.”

According to Cote, the next step is the submission of a revised proposal to the DRC and then on to Planning and Zoning for final submissions and approval.

The Design Review Committee is an advisory board only. It holds no regulatory powers and cannot approve or deny proposals, only offer recommendations and advice on how applicants can better craft submissions to increase the likelihood they will be granted approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.