With the help of social media and special hours, Target attracted hundreds of Binghamton University students to their store on Friday for a night of free food, shopping and fun.
Target chartered coach buses to pick students up and drop them off outside of Dickinson Community, Mountainview College, College-in-the-Woods, and Hinman College. The event, which lasted from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., featured games, food, giveaways and a live DJ. The Target employees were also mostly students, hired specially to work the event.
Kate Lohmuller, a spokeswoman for Target, said late-night shopping events help welcome incoming students and encourage a sense of community, while giving them a chance to pick up any last-minute odds and ends.
“Shopping events provide students the opportunity to stock up on everything they may need, including food, health and beauty supplies, laundry and kitchen essentials, as well as fashion and dorm furnishings,” Lohmuller said.
Emily Tetlow, an incoming freshman, said it was this chance to pick up last minute supplies that drew her to the event.
“I didn’t have anything else to do and I needed a TV cable,” Tetlow said. “I like [the event]. I like free stuff.”
Target tried to attract students by using a Facebook events page, relying on other users to ‘like’ the event.
Jasmine Ortiz, a sophomore majoring in biology, said she found out about the event through Facebook.
“One of my friends liked it and I saw it,” she said. “Once someone likes it, it’s out.”
Zach Stein, a senior majoring in anthropology and president of the inter-fraternity council, DJ’d the event. Stein, who goes by the stage name DJ Woody, has also DJ’d at different Downtown bars, including Scoreboard and the Rathskeller Pub.
“Any emotion, anything in my life that I thought about goes back to music,” Stein said. “The natural progression was to become a DJ and let other people experience good emotions, music, dancing and overall happiness.”
Jessica Towers, a sophomore majoring in linguistics, said she enjoyed her late-night shopping experience.
“It’s actually pretty fun,” Towers said. “The music’s nice.”
According to Lohmuller, Target is hosting similar events in other college towns.
“Target is hosting 69 private shopping events for incoming freshman at universities around the country as a part of Welcome Week festivities,” Lohmuller said.