Target Corp. is preparing to open its first location in Little Elm next month, adding to its presence in the rapidly expanding North Texas region. The new 148,000-square-foot retail space is situated at 26550 E. University Drive, located along the U.S. 380 corridor near the boundary between Little Elm and Aubrey. Little Elm is about 6 miles northwest of The Colony.
The retailer plans to operate the store daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. upon opening. According to company information, the location will employ approximately 200 people. This opening marks one of two new Target stores scheduled to debut in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during July. The second location will open in Forney at 11520 E. U.S. 80.
The Little Elm project is a component of Target’s broader $5 billion capital investment strategy for 2026. That plan includes the construction of 30 new stores and the renovation of 130 existing locations across the company’s network. The expansion aligns with significant demographic shifts in the region, as suburbs north of Dallas continue to experience high growth rates.
Little Elm’s population has reached nearly 70,000 residents, representing an increase of more than 40 percent since 2020. The new store will be located roughly 30 miles north of downtown Dallas.
Target currently holds the position of the third-largest owner of retail space in North Texas, controlling approximately 7.15 million square feet across more than 40 locations, based on CoStar data. The company has long been a significant economic contributor to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, employing thousands of workers and providing substantial financial support to local communities. In 2025, the retailer donated more than $27.3 million in product and cash to causes across Texas, according to a company spokesperson.
