Target opens first Manhattan store in East Harlem

New York City Target Corp.'s first store in Manhattan officially opens on Sunday, representing a key step in the retailer’s push to open in urban markets.

The new store, which joins Costco and Best Buy at East River Plaza in Harlem, will offer merchandise tailored to the neighborhood, including Spanish-language greeting cards, multicultural dolls, religious candles and renowned Southern food produced locally.

"This is the (company's) largest single investment on any single project," John Griffith, executive VP property development for Target Corp., said during a press tour Wednesday.

Griffith said he expects the new store to produce Target's strongest return -- eventually -- and to land among the top five revenue generators of its 1,700 stores.

East River Plaza is developed by Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises.