Dayton's was an American department store chain founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1902 by George Draper Dayton. It operated several local high end department stores throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest for almost 100 years. Although it was regionally known as a high-quality shopping destination, Dayton's is best remembered for starting the discount shopping chain Target. The company was also instrumental in the history of shopping malls; opening the first indoor shopping mall in the United States, Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota, in 1956.
The original, flagship Dayton's store in downtown Minneapolis, followed by Macy's until March 2017
George Draper Dayton was an American businessman and philanthropist, most famous for being the founder of Dayton's department store, which later became Target Corporation.
George Dayton in his office portrait
Dayton's Department Store in 1903
Image: George Dayton and the Dayton House