You’re standing in the driveway. It’s early. Maybe you realized at 6:45 AM that the coffee filters are gone, or perhaps you're that person who actually enjoys the quiet of an empty aisle before the Saturday rush hits. We’ve all been there. But before you shift into drive, you need to know: what time does Target open at locations near you?
Honestly, it’s not always as uniform as you’d think.
For the vast majority of the 1,900+ stores across the United States, the magic number is 8:00 AM. This has been the standard for years. Whether you are in the suburbs of Chicago or the heart of Dallas, the doors usually slide open right as the clock strikes eight. However, "usually" is a dangerous word when you're low on diapers or milk.
The Standard Schedule and the Outliers
Most Target stores operate on a 14 or 15-hour loop. They open at 8:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM. Sometimes it's 11:00 PM.
But here is the thing. Big cities change the rules. If you are shopping at a "Small Format" Target—those tiny ones tucked into the bottom of high-rise apartments in places like New York City, Philadelphia, or Boston—the hours shift. Some of these locations open as early as 7:00 AM to catch the commuters grabbing a protein shake. Others might wait until 9:00 AM if the foot traffic doesn't justify the labor costs of an early start.
Location matters.
Target’s official store locator is your best friend here. It isn't just a static list; it updates for holidays and local staffing issues. If you just Google it, you might get a generic answer. If you use the app, you get the truth.
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Why Does Target Open When It Does?
Retail is a science. Target doesn't just pick 8:00 AM because it sounds nice. It’s about the "labor-to-sales" ratio.
Teams are actually inside the building way before you are. The "Inbound" team often starts at 4:00 AM or even midnight. They are the ones throwing freight, stocking the Hearth & Hand displays, and making sure the Bullseye’s Playground (the dollar spot) isn't a disaster zone. By the time 8:00 AM rolls around, the store has been "awake" for hours.
Opening earlier than 8:00 AM rarely makes sense for a general merchandiser. Unlike a grocery-specific chain like Kroger or a 24-hour pharmacy, Target relies on people buying a mix of essentials and "wants." People don't usually "want" a new throw pillow at 6:15 AM. They do, however, want it at 8:30 AM right after the school drop-off.
That post-school-drop-off window is Target’s bread and butter.
Holiday Variations You Need to Watch For
The schedule gets weird in November and December. It just does.
During the "peak" season, many stores extend their hours. You might see a 7:00 AM opening time during the week leading up to Christmas. Conversely, Target is famously one of the few major retailers that has started committedly closing on Thanksgiving Day. This started as a COVID-19 pivot but became a permanent "thank you" to employees.
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- Easter Sunday: Most stores are closed.
- Christmas Day: Closed.
- Black Friday: This is the big exception. Doors often open at 6:00 AM, though the "midnight madness" of the 2010s has mostly faded in favor of week-long online deals.
- New Year’s Day: Usually normal hours (8:00 AM – 10:00 PM).
How to Use Order Pickup Before the Store Opens
Here is a pro tip that most people overlook. You can actually "shop" before the store opens.
If you place an Order Pickup or Drive Up order at 11:00 PM the night before, the overnight or early morning team will usually have it ready by the time the doors open at 8:00 AM. If you show up at 8:05 AM, you aren't wandering aisles; you’re just clicking "I'm here" in the app and having a team member bring it to your trunk.
It’s the ultimate life hack for people who hate crowds but need their Target fix.
Does Every Target Have the Same Hours?
No.
I recently visited a store in a college town that stayed open until midnight because students study late and need snacks. Meanwhile, a rural location an hour away tucked in at 9:00 PM because the town was basically asleep.
The "Target Greatness" isn't just about the products; it's about how they adapt to the neighborhood. If you are in a high-crime area, some stores have opted to reduce hours, closing at 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM to ensure staff can get to their cars safely. It sucks, but it’s a reality of modern retail management.
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The CVS Pharmacy Factor
Don't assume the pharmacy is open just because the red doors are unlocked.
Target sold its pharmacy business to CVS years ago. Because CVS operates as a "store within a store," they set their own hours. Usually, the CVS inside Target opens at 9:00 AM—an hour after the main store. They also tend to close earlier, often around 7:00 PM, and they almost always take a lunch break between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM.
If you show up at 8:00 AM sharp to pick up a prescription, you’re going to be wandering the clothing section for an hour waiting for the pharmacist to arrive.
Starbucks and Pizza Hut Cafe
Most Target Starbucks locations aim to open with the store at 8:00 AM. They want that early morning caffeine seeker. However, if they are short-staffed (which is common lately), the Starbucks might not open until 9:00 AM or may close mid-day. The Pizza Hut Express/Cafe usually doesn't start serving hot food until 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM.
Summary of What to Remember
If you are planning a trip, keep these nuances in mind:
- Check the App: The Target app is more accurate than a third-party website or a quick search engine snippet.
- Small Formats vary: If you’re in a city, expect 7:00 AM or 9:00 AM.
- The 8-to-10 Rule: For 90% of America, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM is the standard.
- Sundays: Some municipalities (looking at you, New Jersey) have "Blue Laws" that might restrict what you can buy or when the store can open on Sundays.
Basically, if it's 8:15 AM on a Tuesday, you are almost certainly good to go. If it's 7:00 AM on a Sunday, stay in bed and just add things to your cart for later.
Actionable Next Steps
- Download the Target App: Go to the "Store Profile" section to set your "Home Store." This gives you a live look at today's hours and the status of the Pharmacy and Starbucks.
- Check for "Drive Up" Availability: If you need something the second the store opens, place the order the night before.
- Verify Pharmacy Hours Separately: Use the CVS website or the CVS app specifically if you are going for medication, as their hours rarely align perfectly with Target’s main doors.