A whole lot of Austinites want Target to stay in town.

More than 200 people attended a community forum Thursday to vent their frustrations and plan to stop the Austin Target from closing next year.

Target officials announced earlier this month the store would close on Jan. 31. The Austin location is one of 12 stores to close nationwide.

Yet residents and community leaders are protesting Target’s decision, citing Austin’s proposed Vision 2020 projects and large-scale projects like the Hormel Institute’s $28.5 million expansion.

“Target should be growing rather than leaving,” former Austin mayor Bonnie Rietz told the crowd.

Several residents gave suggestions ranging from financial incentives to a massive campaign to spend money at Target during the Christmas shopping season. Volunteers will also create a committee to give a presentation to Target officials.