Target Closes Calif. Stores As Protests Break Out Nationwide

CALIFORNIA — Some Target stores were closed until further notice because of the George Floyd protests, the company said Sunday, and about 200 may have shortened hours because of violence attached to the protests over the death of George Floyd.

The American retailer went from listing more than 100 temporary store closures in dozens of U.S. cities Sunday morning to just six temporary closures in its most recent update — then announced adjusted hours to deal with the protests.

These closures include 46 stores in California, and the stores will also adjust hours, according to another update Sunday from Target. The Oakland store will remain closed until further notice, Target announced.

In an interview Sunday with The New York Times, Joshua Thomas, a Target spokesman, said the number of stores with either shortened hours or temporary closures was at about 200 but changing frequently, and he did not provide a breakdown of locations or the new hours.

The company's website does not mention shortened hours, making it unclear whether Target had changed its message again about closings and hours since talking to the Times. The company did not immediately respond to a message from Patch.

"The safety of our team and guests is our top priority," a statement on the Target website said. "At this time, we are making the decision to adjust store hours or close stores temporarily. We recognize the important role we play in helping our communities shop for food, medicine and other essentials they need."

"We are heartbroken by the death of George Floyd and the pain it is causing communities across the country," Target said in news release. "At this time, we have made the decision to close a number of our stores. We anticipate most stores will be closed temporarily."

In Minnesota, 33 stores are closed; 47 are closed in California, seven are closed in Illinois, and the rest are closed in various other states. The number has been changing as more locations have been closed, and presumably will change again as stores seek to reopen.

Target employees that are impacted by the temporary store closures will be paid for up to 14 days of scheduled hours, including the COVID-19 premium pay. Staff members can also choose to work at other nearby Target locations that are open.

"Our focus will remain on our team members' safety and helping our community heal," Target said in the news release.

The Minneapolis store, located near the epicenter of the protest in Minnesota, was one of multiple area businesses looted by protesters. Volunteers wearing masks and gloves were seen cleaning outside the store on Thursday morning.

The list of closures was updated by Target throughout the day. The following California stores were the original ones named by Target as affected by the closures or shortened hours:

• 17th Street Store Santa Ana, CA
• Alameda, CA
• Azusa, CA
• Baldwin Park, CA
• Bayfair San Leandro, CA
• Bellflower Long Beach, CA
• Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA
• Bixby Long Beach, CA
• Central Berkley, CA
• Central San Francisco, CA
• College Park San Jose, CA
• Colma, CA
• Commerce, CA
• East Orange, CA
• East Palo Alto, CA
• Fashion Island San Mateo, CA
• Hawthorne, CA
• Koreatown Los Angeles, CA
• LA Central Los Angeles, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Madison Sacramento, CA
• Mountain View, CA
• North Hayward, CA
• NW Long Beach, CA
• NW Santa Ana, CA
• Oakland, CA
• Oakland Emeryville, CA
• Pico Rivera, CA
• Pinole, CA
• Rancho Dom Compton, CA
• Redondo Beach, CA
• Redwood City, CA
• Richmond, CA
• Riverside Sacramento, CA
• Rosemead, CA
• San Pedro, CA
• Serramonte Daly City, CA
• South Gate, CA
• Stockton, CA
• SW Sacramento, CA
• Tanforan San Bruno, CA
• University Ave Berkeley, CA
• Walnut Creek, CA
• West Hollywood, CA
• Westlake Daly City, CA
• Westwood Los Angeles, CA

Southern California was hardest-hit by the closures, with 19 shops in Los Angeles County and three in Orange County closing Sunday.

Patch Staffer Gus Saltonstall contributed to this report.

See more:

• Photos: Surfers Paddle Out To Honor George Floyd
• LA Community Leaders Plea For Peace After Days Of Protests
• National Guard Activated As Looting Spreads In Los Angeles