Wednesday
September 18, 2024 
Speculation has been fierce about what would replace the Bon-Ton Department Store in the Doylestown Shopping Center since the popular business closed in 2018.
Last week, the guessing ended, when Target reportedly confirmed it would be leasing the approximately 73,000-square-feet of retail space. The chain’s new location, at 456 N. Main St. in Doylestown Borough, will take over the former Bon-Ton, Essentials Salon, The Mercantile and Michelle’s Hallmark store.
While Target has not said when it intends to begin its work, construction is thought to start sooner rather than later, possibly by the end of April.
Social media lit up with the news. Some applauded the change, calling it “a good spot,” and “a nice replacement for Kmart,” while others bemoaned more traffic and expressed parking concerns.
A few folks said they had hoped to see a skating rink or a bowling alley. When the shopping center opened in 1959, it was Doylestown’s first such business and included the Doylestown Key Bowling Center, a staple in the community for decades.
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