You're standing in the parking lot. It’s 7:48 AM, the sun is hitting the windshield just right, and you’re staring at those giant red spheres like they’re ancient monoliths. You need diapers. Or maybe a specific brand of cold brew. Or that one lamp you saw on TikTok that’s definitely going to sell out by noon. Honestly, we've all been there, wondering exactly what time do target stores open because Google says one thing, the sign says another, and your gut says "please be now."
Most people assume Target follows a rigid, corporate-mandated schedule that applies from Maine to Maui. It doesn't.
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While the "standard" has historically been 8:00 AM, the reality is a patchwork of local labor laws, mall lease agreements, and neighborhood foot traffic patterns. If you’re in a sleepy suburb, you’re looking at a different reality than someone trying to shop at the Target on 34th Street in Manhattan.
The 8 AM Rule and Why It Breaks
For the vast majority of the 1,900+ locations across the United States, 8:00 AM is the magic number. It’s been the North Star for the Bullseye for years.
But here is where it gets weird.
In high-density urban areas—think Chicago, Philly, or Los Angeles—stores often open earlier to catch the commuters. Some "Small Format" stores, those tiny Targets that replaced old pharmacies or squeezed into the bottom floor of luxury apartments, might swing their doors open at 7:00 AM. Conversely, if a Target is anchored inside a shopping mall, it is often at the mercy of the mall's own hours. If the mall doesn't wake up until 10:00 AM, that Target might be trapped behind a security gate, even if the staff is inside stocking the Hearth & Hand section.
Then you have the Sunday factor. Some states still have "Blue Laws." If you're in certain counties in New Jersey, for instance, don't even bother showing up early on a Sunday. The store might not open until later, or certain aisles (like electronics or clothing) might literally be roped off because of local ordinances. It’s a strange, archaic headache.
Holiday Schedules Are a Different Beast
Let’s talk about the holidays because that’s when everyone loses their minds. Target used to be a staple of the "midnight opening" on Black Friday. That’s largely a thing of the past. Ever since the pandemic shifted retail towards "deals all month," the 24-hour frenzy has cooled off.
Nowadays, for major holidays:
- Thanksgiving: They are closed. Period. Target made this permanent a few years back, following a trend to give employees the day off.
- Christmas Day: Closed. No exceptions.
- Christmas Eve: They usually close early, often around 8:00 PM or 10:00 PM, depending on how merciful the local manager is feeling.
- New Year’s Day: Usually normal hours, which is a lifesaver for anyone who realized they ran out of Advil and Gatorade at 3:00 AM.
If you are planning a run on a holiday, the Target app is significantly more reliable than a random search engine result. The app pulls direct data from the store’s point-of-sale system. If the manager flips a switch to close early because of a blizzard, the app knows. Google might not.
Why Does "What Time Do Target Stores Open" Even Matter?
You might think, "It’s just an hour, who cares?"
The "Stay at Home" crowd cares. The "I need to get this done before my 9 AM Zoom call" crowd cares. Target has built a cult-like following around their limited-edition collaborations. When Stanley drops a new tumbler color or a high-end designer does a dress line, the difference between 7:55 AM and 8:01 AM is the difference between victory and paying 4x the price on eBay.
Target’s logistics are also tied to these hours. The "Drive Up" service usually becomes active the second the store opens. However, don't expect your order to be ready at 8:01 AM if you placed it at 7:59 AM. The team members need time to pick those items. Usually, there’s a two-hour window. If you want your stuff the moment the store opens, you better have ordered it the night before.
Pro-Tip: The Tuesday Morning Secret
If you’re someone who shops Target for the clearances—those glorious yellow stickers—knowing when they open is only half the battle. Most Target veterans know that different departments get marked down on different days.
While the store might open at 8:00 AM every day, Tuesday morning is often the "Sweet Spot" for domestic goods and women's apparel. Showing up right as the doors creak open on a Tuesday gives you the first crack at the newly processed clearance racks from the night before.
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Pharmacy and Starbucks Hours Are Not Store Hours
This is the biggest trap. You see the Target lights on, you walk in at 8:05 AM, and you head straight for the CVS pharmacy in the back.
Locked.
The CVS pharmacies inside Target operate on their own distinct schedules. Often, they don't open until 9:00 AM on weekdays and even later on weekends—sometimes 11:00 AM on Sundays. It is a massive soul-crusher to wait outside in the cold, get in at 8:00 AM, and realize you have to kill an hour looking at throw pillows before you can pick up your prescription.
The same goes for the in-store Starbucks. Usually, they try to align with the store opening, but if they are short-staffed, that espresso machine might not be humming until 8:30 or 9:00.
How to Verify Without Wasting Gas
Don't just trust your memory. Retail is volatile right now. Stores are adjusting hours based on local labor shortages or "shrink" (that's retail-speak for shoplifting) concerns.
- The Target Store Locator: Go to the official website. It is the only "source of truth" that matters.
- The App: Set your "My Store" to the location you frequent. It will show you the hours for the main store, the pharmacy, and the optical center separately.
- Call Them: It sounds old-school, but if it’s a weird day (like a local holiday or during a storm), calling the store and listening to the automated recording is the only way to be 100% sure.
Moving Forward With Your Morning
Knowing exactly what time do target stores open is about reclaiming your time. If you’re a morning person, aim for that 8:00 AM slot on a Tuesday or Wednesday. The aisles are empty, the Starbucks line is short, and the "Bullseye Playground" (that dollar section at the front) is freshly stocked with things you didn't know you needed.
Avoid the weekend rush. If you show up at 10:00 AM on a Saturday, you aren't just shopping; you're surviving. The sweet spot is always that first hour of operation.
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Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip:
- Check the Target app the night before to confirm your local store hasn't shifted to a 7:00 AM or 9:00 AM schedule.
- If you're doing a "Drive Up" order, place it at least two hours before you plan to arrive to ensure the "Ready" notification hits your phone.
- Verify pharmacy hours separately if you’re picking up a script; they almost never align with the main doors.
- Keep a mental note of your store’s specific layout—Target is currently remodeling hundreds of stores, which can sometimes delay openings or close specific entrances unexpectedly.
Plan your route, grab your reusable bags, and get there five minutes early. There’s something strangely peaceful about a Target that hasn't been picked over yet.