Target Founder and Wayzata Resident Douglas Dayton Dies at 88

A pioneer of retail who showed the world a new way to sell goods died Friday, many media outlets have reported. Wayzata resident Douglas Dayton, uncle of Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, was 88. 

Minnesota Public Radio listed Dayton's many charitable activities alongside his landmark business accomplishment, founding Target: 

The first Target opened in Roseville in 1962 -- the same year the forerunners to Walmart and Kmart debuted. Unlike traditional department stores, all of Target's cash registers were at the front. The merchandise was marketed as discounted but also high-quality. ... 

Over the past few years Dayton could often be seen wearing a straw hat and driving his 1946 Ford tractor as he tended 40 acres of restored prairie near his home southwest of the Twin Cities. Wendy Dayton said he planned to give the land to the state so it would be preserved. She said it was a final act of giving back. 

Read and hear the full report at minnesota.publicradio.org.     


The Washington Post also took notice of Dayton's passing: 

“We will offer high-quality merchandise at low margins because we are cutting expenses,” Mr. Dayton said, according to “On Target: How the World’s Largest Retailer Hit a Bull’s-eye,” Laura Rowley’s 2003 book. “We would much rather do this than trumpet dramatic price cuts on cheap merchandise.”

Mr. Dayton said customers began calling the chain “Tarjay” — imbuing the name with faux French glamour — as early as 1962. “Duluth was the first place I heard it,” he said, referring to one of the early Minnesota locations.

See the full article at washingtonpost.com. 

The Star Tribune also noted his local home life: 

Even in declining health he enjoyed roaming his 40 acres of natural prairie in Wayzata on a four-wheeler, even flying kites some days, and sharing jokes with his family.

“He was deeply committed to our community and making it a better place for everyone,” his wife, Wendy, said. “He did that through supporting a variety of organizations. Whether it was social justice, education, the arts or conservation. He wanted to make more things possible for a greater number of people. I think his philanthropy reflected that.”

Dayton is survived by his wife, three sons, a stepdaughter, six grandchildren and his brother, Bruce.

Read the full article at startribune.com.