By Trey Mewes, Austin Daily Herald

The Austin Target’s last day is Saturday.

Target representatives said the store’s merchandise will be shipped to other stores and the store will close after Jan. 31.

Dozens of residents organized the “Save the Austin, MN Target from closing” Facebook page to keep the Austin Target open after company officials announced last November that the Austin location was one of 11 stores closing. On Nov. 13, 2014, the group held a public meeting with an estimated 200 local residents calling for the store to remain open.

Though volunteers sent economic data, hundreds of emails and tried to meet with Target officials, corporate representatives maintained the store’s closing was final.

Volunteers had suggested holding a goodbye event for Target employees, but several residents said plans never materialized.