Long Island City is changing fast. It’s basically a forest of glass towers now. If you live in one of those high-rises or you’re just passing through Court Square, you’ve probably noticed the Target in Long Island City tucked into the base of the One Court Square building. It’s not your typical suburban sprawl Target with a massive parking lot and red shopping carts stretching into the horizon. It’s different. It’s a "small-format" store, and honestly, that changes everything about how you should shop there.
Most people walk in expecting the full-blown experience where you can buy a mountain bike and a patio set in the same trip. You can't. Not here. This location is surgical. It’s designed for the person who realized at 8:00 PM that they’re out of oat milk or needs a last-minute birthday card before hopping on the 7 train.
The One Court Square Location Reality
Location is everything. This Target sits right at 1 Court Square West. It’s literally steps from the E, G, M, and 7 trains. Because of that, the vibe is frantic. You’ve got commuters rushing in to grab a Celsius and a protein bar, mixed with young parents from the luxury rentals nearby trying to navigate strollers through aisles that are—let's be real—pretty tight.
The footprint is small. About 31,000 square feet. Compare that to a "Super Target" which can be over 170,000 square feet, and you start to see the limitation. You aren't getting the full furniture catalog. You’re getting the essentials. But because it’s Long Island City, the "essentials" are curated for a specific demographic. Think more organic snacks, trendy home decor pieces that fit in a 500-square-foot studio, and a surprisingly robust beauty section.
Why the Layout is Kinda Tricky
Navigating this place requires a bit of a strategy. Since it’s a vertical city store, things aren't always where you’d expect. The grab-and-go food is right up front for the office workers, but if you need household cleaners or laundry detergent, you’re going to have to weave through the labyrinth.
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The shelving is high. They have to maximize the vertical space since the floor plan is cramped. If you’re short, you’re going to be asking for help or doing some light gymnastics to reach the top-shelf paper towels. It’s a trade-off. You get the convenience of a Target in the heart of LIC, but you lose the "leisurely stroll" feel of the suburbs.
What Actually Stays in Stock?
Inventory management at the Target in Long Island City is a constant battle. This is one of the highest-density neighborhoods in Queens. Things disappear.
- Grocery: Surprisingly good. They have a decent produce section, which is a lifesaver because the nearby supermarkets can be pricey. They stock a lot of Good & Gather (Target’s house brand) which helps keep the grocery bill down in an expensive zip code.
- Apparel: Don't expect a full wardrobe. It’s mostly basics. Socks, underwear, some seasonal Wild Fable or Goodfellow shirts. If you’re looking for a specific designer collaboration drop, this store might get a few pieces, but they vanish within an hour of opening.
- Tech: It’s a "strictly necessary" tech section. Cables, headphones, maybe a few iPads behind glass. If you need a high-end gaming monitor, go to the Best Buy in LIC instead.
- Home Goods: This is where they shine. They know people in the surrounding towers are constantly moving in or redecorating. You’ll find lamps, small kitchen appliances like Nutribullets, and those Hearth & Hand candles everyone obsesses over.
The Logistics of Getting Your Stuff Home
Parking is the elephant in the room. There is no dedicated Target parking lot. Welcome to New York. If you’re driving, you’re looking for street parking in Court Square, which is basically a competitive sport. Or you’re paying for a garage nearby. Most people here are "pedestrian shoppers."
This creates a "weight limit" on your shopping trip. You’re only buying what you can carry for three blocks or take on the subway. Because of this, the store does a massive amount of business through the Target app. The Order Pickup service here is a well-oiled machine. You can buy your heavy detergent and bulky paper towels on the app, and they’ll have them waiting behind the counter. It saves you from wandering the aisles only to find out they’re sold out of the specific brand you wanted.
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The Self-Checkout Bottleneck
Honesty time: the lines can be brutal. During the post-work rush (5:30 PM to 7:00 PM), the self-checkout line often snakes back into the aisles. Since the store is small, the line blocks the products. It’s a bit of a chaotic dance. If you can, visit on a Tuesday morning or a weekend before 10:00 AM. Otherwise, prepare to get cozy with your neighbors in line.
A Better Way to Shop in LIC
If you find that the One Court Square location is too picked over, you aren't totally out of luck. There are other Targets nearby, like the one in Sunnyside or the larger store in Elmhurst (Queens Place). But for the true LIC local, those feel like a journey.
The secret to winning at the Target in Long Island City is the "Drive Up" or "Order Pickup" feature. Even though there isn't a parking lot for traditional Drive Up, the in-store pickup saves you the headache of navigating the tight aisles. You walk in, scan your barcode, grab your bag, and leave.
It’s also worth noting the impact this store has had on the neighborhood. Before it opened, LIC was a bit of a "pharmacy desert" and grocery options were limited to a few high-end spots. Having a place where you can get a $5 bottle of ibuprofen and a $10 t-shirt changed the math for people living here. It made the neighborhood feel more "livable" and less like an industrial zone turned luxury camp.
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Hidden Perks
- The Pharmacy: It’s a CVS inside the Target. It’s generally faster than the standalone CVS locations nearby, mostly because people forget it’s there.
- Starbucks: Yes, there is one. It’s small, but it’s a reliable backup when the lines at the local artisanal coffee shops are out the door.
- Returns: This is the best place to return your online Target orders. Even if you bought a giant rug online that didn't fit, you can lug it here and they’ll take it back, saving you the nightmare of shipping it.
How to Maximize Your Visit
Don't just wander in. Use the Target app to check the "In-Store" inventory specifically for the Long Island City location. The app is surprisingly accurate. If it says there are "2 left" of a specific item, there’s a 50/50 chance a fellow shopper already has it in their basket, so move fast.
Also, keep an eye on the clearance endcaps. Because space is at a premium, this store marks things down faster than the big suburban stores just to clear the shelf space for new shipments. I’ve found high-end skincare and home decor at 70% off here just because they needed the four inches of shelf space for something else.
Actionable Shopping Strategy
To make the most of this specific location without losing your mind, follow these steps:
- Download the Target App: Set "Long Island City" as your home store. Check stock before you leave your apartment.
- Time Your Run: Aim for weekday mornings or late nights (they usually close at 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM). Avoid the 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM window at all costs.
- Use Order Pickup: Don't browse if you’re in a hurry. Let the employees find the items for you. It’s a free service and saves you 20 minutes of weaving through strollers.
- Check the "Last Chance" Endcaps: Look at the back of the aisles near the household goods section for deep discounts on items the store is trying to phase out.
- Bring Your Own Bags: New York has a bag ban, and while Target sells reusable ones, they add up. Plus, the LIC store's paper bags are notorious for ripping if you're carrying heavy liquids for more than two blocks.