A new shopping alternative will be available to the Ames community when Target opens the doors of its new store at 316 S. Duff Ave. on March 3.

The grand opening for Target’s new store is scheduled for the day after Target’s current store at 620 Lincoln Way will close, said Marisa Stam, personnel manager for Target.

Target’s new Ames store will be twice the size of the current one and will include a wider selection of merchandise, she said.

“Because we are a new store, we will also carry new merchandise that other stores will not be carrying,” Stam said.

Some other additions to the new Target will include a pharmacy, one-hour photo developing and a food court, she said.

The store is a wave of the future, Stam said, and all new Target stores will resemble the new Ames store.

“Our store is the prototype for all new Target stores,” she said.

Although the new Ames Target is a model for others, Stam said it is not considered a SuperTarget.

She said the difference between a SuperTarget and Ames’ new Target store is the grocery department.

“We won’t have a grocery store,” she said.

Many Iowa State students are looking forward to the opening of the new Target.

“The current store is really small compared to other Target stores,” said Theresa Rogers, junior in management information systems. “I am looking forward to the wider selection of products that the new store will offer.”

Luke Van Driel, sophomore in mechanical engineering, said he is anticipating the convenience the new store will offer.

“It’s one-stop shopping,” he said.

One of Target’s goals is to make an impact on the Ames community, Stam said, and it already has opened up more than 100 new jobs in Ames.

“We added 130 new employees in addition to the current employees,” she said.

Target is continuing to accept applications for positions at its new store.