AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAh, life’s little bumps: My favorite Target is closing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Life as we know it is getting ready to take a radical turn that may take years before we can assess the true impact.
We’re losing our Target.
I know, I know - a new one is going to open south of I-285 in October, but that means the one about two minutes from our house is going to close.
I’ve been shopping there since it was a Richway, way back into the 70’s. It was a ritual that on weekends home from college I’d go there with my folks’ credit card to reload on detergent, shampoo, etc. Better to get them to foot that bill so I could have more beer money.
And as I grew older and it morphed into a Target I set aside such childish things and that store became our shopping Mecca for darn near everything it takes to raise two kids.
The annual trip for school supplies? Yep. Just a short drive and a few hundred bucks later Zach and Amelia were primed and ready for another year of academia.
Heading out for vacation wasn’t complete until we made the trip to get the travel-size toothpaste, mouthwash and other sundries - plus whatever sunscreen was on sale that week.
And I can’t count the number of times that place bailed us out when one of the kids would casually mention during Sunday evening supper that they had a project due in the morning and needed poster board, glue sticks, construction paper, markers, two turtledoves and a partridge in a pear tree. Still, no problem.
Now I know that there are discount stores like this all over the metro area, but this one was two minutes away. It was practically like another room in the house - albeit the only one that had a cash register.
The future Sandy Springs City Hall will someday occupy that site, and while I think the mayor and city council are probably really swell folks, I don’t see the advantage to having them just a couple minutes from my front door.
But change, I am told, is a fact of life. When Zach left for college four years ago it was tough. When Amelia left for college last year, the house felt so empty. And now this.
I better make a trip up there while I can for tissues. I have a coupon and I think I’m going to cry.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Jim Osterman
Comments
By Susan
September 22, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Man, don’t you just hate change?? I remember Rickway now, do you remember it was Treasure Island before Richway? Well maybe not the one in Sandy Springs, but the old Richway on Buford Highway was a Treasure Island. Ok, I really dated myself with that one!!!
By mmw
September 23, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
I know that in the grand scheme of things the closing of this Target is not even a blip but I too will miss the closeness and convenience of that store. I share many of your memories of the old Richway and school projects. I had never thought of it as another room but I think your description is very accurate.
The store’s closing will certainly make a difference - but at least there is a CVS close by - maybe that will become my extra room…..and there is a new Walgreen’s under construction. Possibilities abound.
By Sean
September 23, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
I’m sad to see it go, but the new shopping center will hopefully rejuvenate that eyesore part of Roswell Rd.
By Stu
September 24, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
While it is sad to see a close by neighborhood institution close, the moving of Target down to the Prado will make it easier shopping. During your trip to the Prado while shopping at your Target store you will be able to eat at many fine restaurants, shop at specialty stores such as Mattress Giant (which is already open), Circuit City and a brand new Publix and help rejuvenate an area which has not benefitted from the revitalization of the rest of the immediate area. Give it a chance I think you will like the newer Target much better.
By gttim
September 24, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
I remember the RIchway, and do hate to see the store close. I love the fact that SS’s City Hall will end up on that site. Then maybe people from the city can see what horrible traffic exists around that area and maybe do something to fix it!