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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, January 16, 2015 | 12 Oakville shoppers express disappointment at news of closure continued from p.1 Target currently employs 17,600 people at its stores nationwide. Locally, there is one store in Oakville, two others in Burlington and another in Milton. According to Target, each location employs anywhere from 100-150 people. "Personally, this was a very difficult decision, but it was the right decision for our company," Cornell said. Target spokesperson Molly Snyder said the timing will vary, but all stores will likely close their doors within 1620 weeks. A manager at the Oakville location at South Oakville Centre referred all media questions to Target's head office. Online job boards show Oakville's Target had posted Monday it was hiring cashiers, merchandisers and backroom staff. Several shoppers exiting the store with their hands full of shopping bags said the store was close to home and they were disappointed to see it go. "People aren't supporting it at all," said Oakville resident Bill Wright. "It's a good store and it's well laid out. They seem to have everything that you need... the mall is going to be pretty vacant without it." Other shoppers, like Keri Cawse, said they prefer shopping at Target to other big box stores. "I think it's really sad that it's closing down," Cawse said, as she loaded up her vehicle with purchases. "Target's just easy to navigate. It's clean and they have L O W E S T P R I C E G U A R A N T E E D ! 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SellOffVacations.com, a division of Sunwing Travel Group, 31 Fasken Drive, Toronto, Ontario Canada M9W 1K6. TICO Reg. # 4276176 a lot of good specials." The manager of the Target in Milton said Thursday morning he had few details to offer the 100 or so fulland part-time employees who would soon be out of work there. "We haven't heard anything directly from the higher-ups... just what's ITALY 2015 INDIA 2016 Join Our Presentation Monte Carlo Inn 374 South Service Road E., Oakville, ON TICO# 4537114 ON REG# 970855995 Friday January 23rd 2:00 - 4:00 pm Refreshments will be served Call to R.S.V.P. Cruise Holidays of oakville 221 Lakeshore Road East · 905-337-2228 info@cruiseholidaysoakville.com www.cruiseholidaysoakville.com 905-338-2077 · 1-800-361-6688 www.bobscruises.com been reported on the news," said Nestor Noronha, who has managed the Milton operation since December 2013. That store was one of the first three stores to open in Canada in March 2013. "I'm kind of shocked that this happened so soon, but I guess it's all or nothing with something like this," Noronha said. "We really had no indication this was coming. I'm not too concerned. Life goes on." Many of the shoppers entering Burlington's Appleby Line Target store had just heard the news about the American chain pulling out of Canada, and weren't surprised. "I don't know a lot about retail, but I have not seen the business happening here," said Brenda Mousinho. "I thought it was going to be real competition. Even during the Christmas season you could come and go, there were no lineups." Canadian Target stores didn't offer customers the selection or the price point people were anticipating, believes Hollie Cooper, who liked the store's home décor department, but thought there was never enough in stock. "Wow, that was fast," said Rob Flynn, in response to the news. Flynn said he was somewhat disappointed because Target offered a different selection of products. "As a consumer, you like choice." Target Corporation is seeking court approval to voluntarily make cash contributions of $70 million into an employee trust in the hopes of providing Canadian-based employees with a minimum of 16 weeks of compensation, including wages and benefits coverage for employees who are not required for the full wind-down period. Target Canada stores will remain open during the liquidation process.