Another major retailer is staking a claim in Tampa Bay. Target has announced plans for a two-story, 140,000-square-foot store at Countryside Mall in Clearwater, marking a significant investment in Pinellas County’s retail landscape and further proof of the region’s ongoing population boom.
According to reports from CL Tampa and Bay News 9, the new Target will occupy the former Sears anchor space — a prime location that will bring fresh energy to one of Clearwater’s most established retail centers.
Part of a Larger Pattern for Target
This Clearwater expansion fits a broader strategy we’ve been tracking at Extended Reach Florida — Target’s rapid rollout of new “super-store” formats across the Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida markets.
These new openings represent a consistent corporate pattern: high-visibility sites near interstates and growing suburban populations, backed by a strong local consumer base and developer interest.
Why Clearwater, Why Now
Clearwater sits at a pivotal point in Florida’s demographic shift. The influx of new residents from across the country, combined with a robust tourism economy and expanding workforce, has created fertile ground for national retailers like Target…