Target plans to close the nine Mervyn's stores--some in prime locations such as Rosedale and Southdale--by the end of July. May officials has said it may convert one or more of the sites to Marshall Field's, but has decided not to bring in any of its other retail brands to the Twin Cities market. One of the most attractive Mervyn's locations is at Eden Prairie Center, where Marshall Field's does not have a store.

Real estate sources suggest the sites could either be used for other department stores--Marshall Field's and Sears are among the possibilities suggested--to converting the space to specialty stores, restaurants and entertainment, elements common to lifestyle centers.May's purchase of the Mervyn's protects it from any new competition sites for its Marshall Field's stores, which are co-tenants in a number of regional malls in the Twin Cities.

The other locations are at Rosedale in Roseville, Southdale in Edina, Burnsville Center in Burnsville, Maplewood Mall in Maplewood, Tamarack Village in Woodbury, Midway Marketplace in St. Paul, Brookdale in Brooklyn Center, and Northtown in Blaine. Discussions between the various owners of the centers and May are already under way.