Covington, Georgia — Target is preparing to open one of its most significant new stores in the Atlanta region in more than a decade, marking a notable shift in the retailer’s expansion strategy as it heads into 2026.
According to reporting by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Target has signed a lease for a new full-format store within Covington Town Center, a large mixed-use development in Newton County. The store is expected to span approximately 128,500 square feet, making it the largest Target store planned in the metro Atlanta area in over ten years.
The project is being developed by Fuqua Development, which recently closed on the land for the Town Center site and finalized lease terms with Target. According to corporate this project will be close to the Covington Town Center Drive & Ginko Lane.
A Shift Back to Larger Store Formats
The planned Covington location reflects a broader strategic adjustment by Target. In recent years, the retailer focused heavily on smaller-format urban stores, many under 50,000 square feet. The Covington store’s size signals a renewed emphasis on larger suburban locations that can serve multiple roles — including traditional retail, same-day pickup, and fulfillment for online orders.
Developers involved in the project have described the Covington store as a regional anchor, designed to support surrounding retail, dining, residential, and hospitality components within the Town Center development.
What This Means for Covington and Newton County
For Covington, the arrival of a Target store of this scale represents a major economic milestone. Large-format national anchors typically drive increased traffic, strengthen nearby commercial leasing activity, and elevate the long-term profile of retail corridors.
Covington Town Center is positioned roughly 35 miles east of downtown Atlanta along Interstate 20, an area that has seen steady residential growth and increased commercial investment. Target’s commitment to the development reinforces Covington’s emergence as a key suburban retail hub within the eastern Atlanta metro.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Target has confirmed plans to open dozens of new stores nationwide in 2026, and Georgia remains a priority market within that expansion. While additional Georgia locations have not yet been officially announced with addresses or timelines, the Covington project suggests further retail investment may follow in high-growth suburban corridors across the state.
Extended Reach USA will continue tracking confirmed store openings, development filings, and retailer expansion trends as more details emerge heading into 2026.
