Harlem Based Target Set To Shutdown Following Complaints Of Theft And Violent Crimes Committed Against Employees!

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Cousins! A local Target store is set to close its doors for good within a Harlem, New York neighborhood next month following alarming reports of shoplifting!

The East 117th street store made history in 2010 as the very first Manhattan located Target. Sadly, the store has been added to the list of eight other additional locations scheduled to shutdown including, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and more, reports the New York Post.

The popular supermarket-department store chain cites that the safety of their employees in connection to a series of violent crimes has amplified their decision-making.

“We cannot continue operating these stores because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance,” shared the Minneapolis-based chain said in a statement.

Sources state that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been criticized for failing to issue consequences for shoplifters who are said to have severely victimized businesses since the rise of the pandemic.

“It’s a terrible result and hopefully serves as a wakeup call to city officials that this needs to be dealt with ASAP, otherwise there will be more to follow,” warned Jeffrey Roseman, vice chairman of real estate giant Newmark.

“The city has always been the mecca for retailers from across the world who wanted to be a part of the action. We can’t afford to let that slip away.”

The Manhattan-based store employs a total of 200 workers and will leave a major void within the Harlem neighborhood as it served as a source for residents to convinently feed their families.

“Whether (it’s) Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, small mom-and-pop businesses, or other big-box retailers, retail stores are falling victim to petty crimes and shoplifting, which is reaching alarming levels,” said State Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs of Harlem New York.

“All East Harlemites deserve to live near convenient, affordable, healthy grocery stores,” he said. “Target served as an economic anchor for this community, providing invaluable and affordable food choices.”

It has been stated that a new location is scheduled to open next month in October within the 125th building developers. However, due to their 117th location shutting down, the decision to proceed is currently in limbo.

“I did not get the impression they are not coming,” said Barbara Askins, chief executive of Harlem’s Business Improvement District to the Post. “As far as I’m concerned we are still working together and we plan to invite them to the next meeting we have at the end of October.”