By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
SEVIERVILLE (WATE) - There is a grassroots effort to bring Target to Sevierville.
A billboard on Highway 66 reads, "WEWANTTARGET.COM - Let us hear from you Sevierville."
Questions remain about who put up the billboard and who is behind the campaign.
6 News learned Tommy Stokes of Tommy Stokes Design is responsible for the website. When first contacted Stokes said he would get someone to talk about it, but later in a follow up call he said, "No comment," and hung up.
The website simply asks people to sign an online petition. It has garnered more than 1,000 names and has several comments.
"Please bring us a Target!!! I love Target and would love to have one here in Sevierville and not have to travel to Knoxville!!" posted Carol Knipper.
A few residents said they were not in favor of Target.
A commenter named Concerned Resident posted, "Don't you think we have enough retail outlets? Are you really looking for more? WHY? Are you looking to see more of our current businesses close their doors? Figure it out people we need NO MORE RETAIL KEEP TARGET AWAY!"
People who live in the area say the billboard was put up a month ago.
"It would be nice to have something different and to give Walmart competition," said Joy Peters, who works in Sevierville.
"Yeah, because it would be something different from Walmart," said Sevierville resident Jeremy Shults.
Many were unsure if they would sign the online petition.
"No, it's just not something I normally do," said Peters. "It would be nice to have it here, but it's not something I will campaign for."
"No, it's something I probably would be doing," said Shults.
"Tennessee continues to be a great market for Target. However, we do not have information to share regarding Sevierville," said Meghan Mike, a Target spokesperson in an email reply to 6 News.
"We value feedback and encourage individuals to work with local community development officials," she added.
An official with the Sevier County Economic Development Council says they have been working for years to get Target in the county, but nothing has ever happened.
An online petition asks Target to build a story in Sevierville.
