CINCINNATI -- Target is opening a store near the University of Cincinnati next summer, its first urban-format store in Greater Cincinnati.

The retailer says the store at 235 Calhoun St., part of U Square at the Loop, will be about 17,700 square feet.

The location will have fresh groceries (including grab-and-go food), home merchandise (with a focus on dorm and apartment living, obviously), local sports teams' merchandise, a health and beauty section, men’s and women’s apparel and accessories and tech accessories, as well as order pick-up.

The store is slated to open in July 2017.

"We’re delighted to welcome Target to U Square at the Loop," Towne Properties' Arn Bortz said in a statement. "Its arrival will enhance the quality of life for the university community, the hospital community and the uptown neighborhood for years to come."

The city of Cincinnati lobbied the Minneapolis-based retailer to open a Downtown store at the International Council of Shopping Centers convention in Las Vegas in May.

“An urban Target would work,” Economic Development Director Oscar Bedolla told WCPO in June. “We’ve got the daytime population that exceeds other cities our size and the residential market is growing. Plus, people want convenience. With some of the higher-end units coming on line, people want to be able to walk out their door and find available retail.”

The Kroger Co. has a new Corryville store under construction that features a drive-through pharmacy, Little Clinic health center, an expanded natural foods section and a growler station for beer on tap.

Target also is opening another Ohio store near a major university: The Ohio State University Target will be larger than UC's store, at 28,000 square feet. It's scheduled to open in 2018 at the corner of 16th and High streets.