Target Corp. is set to open its first location in Little Elm next month, adding to its presence in North Texas. The new 148,000-square-foot store will be 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 10 miles south of Aubrey.
The retailer plans to operate the facility daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Upon opening, the location is expected to employ approximately 200 people. This development marks the second Target store opening in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during July, with another location scheduled to open in Forney at 11520 E. U.S. 80.
The Little Elm expansion is a component of Target’s broader $5 billion capital investment strategy for 2026. That plan includes the opening of 30 new stores and the remodeling of 130 existing locations across the region. The move aligns with rapid population growth in North Texas suburbs. Little Elm’s population has reached nearly 70,000, representing an increase of more than 40 percent since 2020.
According to CoStar data provided to the Dallas Business Journal, Target was the third-largest owner of retail space in North Texas last year, holding roughly 7.15 million square feet across more than 40 locations. The company has long been a significant economic contributor to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, employing thousands of workers and donating millions to local communities. In 2025, Target provided more than $27.3 million in product and cash donations statewide, according to a company spokesperson.
