LINDSAY -Minneapolisbased Target Corporation has selected the Zellers store in the Lindsay Square Mall as one of its initial group of 105 sites that will be converted to a Target, opening in 2013.

Target expects to finalize the acquisition of these initial sites in the coming days and pay half of the purchase price. It will eventually take on 220 stores.

It has also announced that its Canadian head office will be in Mississauga.

"We are thrilled to share these first details about our planned entry into Canada," Target Canada president Tony Fisher said in a release issued by CNW Group on Thursday.

"We are excited that these initial store sites ensure Target will be represented throughout the country. We look forward to completing our selection process during the next several months..."

It further said sites such as Lindsay would be "well served by a Target store." Each is now sub-letted to Zellers and will continue to operate as a Zellers store "for some time."

It said that six to nine months prior to opening a Target store, the majority will be closed for significant remodeling. On average, about $10 million will be invested per store, creating construction jobs.

Each will also employ 150 to 200 'team members' and the hiring process will commence in 2012.

"Target will also engage with Zellers associates to make it easy for them to apply for jobs at Target."

Other regional Zellers affected include Newmarket, Orillia, Oshawa, Ajax and Whitby.

BLOCKBUSTER NOT ON CLOSURE LIST

Meanwhile, the Blockbuster Canada store in Lindsay is not on a list of outlets slated for closure and liquidation in the coming weeks.

The firm Grant Thornton, which is court-appointed receiver for Blockbuster Canada, is maintaining a list of locations that are due to be closed on its website.

Lindsay is not on the list.

- lgervais@thepost.ca