— As Hillsborough Street changes to suit today's college student, with Target opening next year across from North Carolina State University, many local businesses have to find new homes.

Some of the businesses between Horne Street and Pogue Street have to relocate, and soon.

At Reverie Coffee Den on Hillsborough Street, loyal customers are upset by the sudden change.



“I've been coming here at least 10 years I would say,” customer Michael Shearer said. “I’m not opposed to having a small Target that would be really convenient but its sad for these businesses.’

“We must date back 15 years,” customer Ernie Stitzinger said. “We meet people every day there’s somebody comes along we know, chat with them a little bit.”



The owner of Reverie is among four business owners notified Oct. 31st that their monthly leases won't be renewed after November.

“Just all pretty upset about it, nobody knows where they're going to go,” Tony McDowell said.

McDowell works at University Cuts. He said the reason they're being pushed out is to make room for higher-paying tenants that will fill the bottom level of a new Target store.

“We're real important to this community. We cut a whole lot of people over there, the football team, walk-ins, a lot of regulars, a lot of regulars,” McDowell said.

"We understand why some of the tenants are upset about moving. We hope to work with each of them through this transition to help find a satisfactory solution," the new developer said in a statement.



Owner Joseph Scurto said he has enough money saved to go out of business without going broke.



But, he said he worries about his employees, his customers and his neighbors.

“You know I think it’s unfair because these big guys come in and throw the little guys around like nothing and I don't think it’s fair,” Scurto said.



The new development firm says it plans to repurpose the current building and fill it with retailers on the street level. Those tenants have not yet been confirmed.