Target acquired for Deni CBD, but still more to do

It was one of several Target stores its parent company, Wesfarmers, chose to close across the country.

Building owners Lester and Carolyn Wheatley have been actively pursuing a replacement tenant for the large space for several months.

Mr Wheatley said if all goes well, an agreement could be completed in a matter of weeks and a new business could be moving in to the heart of Deniliquin by the middle of the year.

‘‘We have had very strong interest from a national brand.

‘‘The terms of a potential lease have been agreed upon, there just needs to be a site inspection and approval from the company’s board of directors.

‘‘It all looks right, but we can’t say too much more until the documents have been signed.’’

Due to confidentially Mr Wheatley cannot reveal the chain interested in the space, but he did say it is a national department store chain.

He said it would be a great result to have someone occupy the building before it is empty for too long.

‘‘We’ve been actively trying to find a tenant and there have been a lot of conversations back and forward,’’ he said.

‘‘We did offer some small incentives to encourage the establishment of the company in Deniliquin, and it appears to have been a success.

‘‘We hope to have everything finalised in a matter of weeks, and then hopefully the business will be operational by mid year after a shop fit out.’’

The Deniliquin Target was one of 75 stores slated for closure by the Wesfarmers Group.

The announcement of its closure was made in May 2020.

Another 92 Target stores across the country have been, or will be, converted to Kmart.

Last year’s announcement sparked outrage in the Deniliquin district, with community members saying the decision to close Deniliquin but convert the Echuca store would hurt the ‘shop local’ message.

Community members launched another, last ditch effort to save the store at the start of this year but Wesfarmers Group was not swayed.