They say the grass is always greener on the other side, and in regards to the Tenleytown Target, it’s true. The many other DMV Targets boast superior qualities, so here’s a comprehensive list to fulfill your overconsumption needs.
Tenley 4/10
Starting off with the most familiar, the only redeeming quality of this Target is its proximity to school. Other than that, it does not stand out. After school, it could take 45 minutes to get through the line. Most of the aisles are empty or locked up, and they likely don’t have what you’re looking for. The employees also roam the aisles and tell students to hurry up and leave. As eighth graders we dreamed of endlessly strolling those aisles, but now our hopes are crushed.
Cleveland Park 8.5/10
This unassuming Target right off of the Cleveland Park Metro takes first place in our hearts. Though seemingly small from above ground, with an abundance of clothing, food, and decorations, this store manages to fit more than Tenley. While its aisles are overcrowded and hard to navigate, they are less picked over and locked up than Tenley. It’s easy accessibility via the Red Line makes up for the cramped feeling. The lines to check out aren’t long and the self-checkouts all took cash. Although we wish it had been a bit bigger, there’s a good chance you’ll find us here in the future.
Rosslyn 3/10
Spending little time near Arlington, we didn’t know exactly what we were getting into at this Target. We had high hopes for what appears to be a giant store, but they quickly crashed and burned. First, we encountered navigational troubles finding the door, and once we entered we were met with a sparse clothing display. Some shelves were empty, and we struggled finding drinks to refresh us after our long journey (Red Line to Blue Line and a walk was too much). This Target somehow had less stuff than the Tenley Target, was much farther, and was an overall disappointment. It also had a District Taco underneath, a clear copycat of Tenley.
Columbia Heights 9/10
This Target sported the best supply of makeup, clothes, food, decorations, and other necessities. This two story Target has almost everything you would want, including a Starbucks, but the layout was slightly confusing. Located on the second floor of a mini-shopping center, Target has many other stores near it, like Best Buy and Marshalls. However, located on the Green Line, the journey to this store is long and complicated. We recommend this Target for clothes shopping, although we hate the “seven items max” rule for fitting rooms. Overall, we were surprised that DC had finally managed to produce a good sized and well stocked target.
Rockville 11/10
The Holy Grail of Targets. Immediately upon entering, the world seemed to be at our fingertips. We recommend heading first to the Starbucks to get refreshed before wandering the aisles. A mega-target, spending is easier than ever here, and the sheer abundance of items feels like heaven. A fifteen minute walk off a Red Line stop, this target is mildly inaccessible, but if you do make it there you’ll never want to leave. We go to bed dreaming of this Target replacing Tenley, but alas, it is not so.
The holiday season is upon us, and with that comes endless hours browsing the aisles. So go hop on the Red Line (or your car if you’re lucky) and go burn that cash.
