He said the sales figures also are indicative of planning that has gone on to make Elk River a shopping destination. That strategy began to bear fruit in a big way in the mid-1990s when Elk Park Center, anchored by Target and Cub Foods, opened along Highway 169. More big-name retailers followed. Menards came on the scene in Elk River in 1997 and, in 1998, St. Cloud-based Coborn s took over the former Sax Food and Drug store along Highway 169. Home Depot opened in November 2000 followed by Wal-Mart in January 2001.
Local managers report that Elk River has been a good market.
Justin Peterson, operations manager at Target in Elk River, said sales at the store have increased every year since it opened in July 1995. It has done better than anticipated from the opening, he said. It s a very good market. Karen Duffy, manager of the Elk River Home Depot, said the store has done pretty much as expected. It s a good market, she said of the Elk River area.