Confirmed: America's First Boozy Target Is Bringing Wine Bar, Small Plates to Chicago

UPDATE: Turns out that menu is from Starbucks Evenings, but Target included it with their application without citation. Full story follows:

Fret not shoppers: It's confirmed, America's first Target will serve booze and more in Chicago. A first-floor bar looks like it offer a variety of wines and small plates — like bacon-wrapped dates and truffle macaroni and cheese — as the retail giant's proposed menu was included in Target's city of Chicago liquor license application obtained by Eater Chicago through a Freedom of Information Act request. The $9.6 million project — right near Navy Pier — is slated for an October opening in Streeterville.

The discount retailer isn't just selling box wine, but they're apparently going for a wine bar feel, attaching the same menu Starbucks uses for its Starbucks Evening program. That's a menu the includes mushroom flatbread and meatballs with tomato basil sauce. They'll serve wine by the glass and the bottle, but the prices for the bottles weren't included in with the application. The Starbucks menu includes wines by the glass range from $7 for an Apothic red blend to $14 for the Markham Vineyards Cellar 1879 BLI. There's also a selection of craft beers, but the brands weren't included in the application.

It appears the bar area will include six tables and that patrons will be able to take their drinks throughout the store. The liquor application asks "What is the total square footage of the area from which liquor will be sold, served and/or consumed?" Target answered 18,884 square feet. This Target, a TargetExpress, will also sell beer and wine for home consumption.

The application also details plans for a full-fledged Starbucks inside, and includes the coffee shop's menu, which seems familiar to a regular stand-alone Starbucks, with pastries, sandwiches and hot cereal.

Target hasn't commented officially on their plans after applying for a license for the on-site consumption of liquor. The site is at the former Fox & Obel, which has stalled in terms of redevelopment at 401 E. Illinois St. Plans for a Mrs. Green's Natural Food Market stalled in 2014. But Target came in April with their plans, so check out Target's proposed alcohol and food menu below.