Disappointing news for anyone hoping to get aall their chintzy holiday shopping done in one place this weekend (guilty!). The Examiner brings us a progress report from the Metreon Target store this morning. The pearly white Minnesotan chain has not yet to started construction on the 85,000 square-foot store — that will begin sometime in January after the Westfield folks wrap up their part of the construction. Assuming everything goes according to plan the new store will be open by next October, just in time for the 2012 holiday rush.

Meanwhile, the other Target store, coming to Masonic and Geary, is still working it's way through the planning department. Last we heard, the chain was securing permits for signage along the two major arteries.

Anyway, hold on to those Target gift cards your chipper Aunt puts in your stocking this Christmas. They should be worth something to bubble-trapped San Franciscans by 4th Quarter 2012. And speaking of which, what happened to that weird Target pop-up that dropped in to SoMa before the holidays a few years back? Is Target too cool to sell Star Wars Legos in Mint Plaza now?

Previously: all Target coverage on SFist
[SFEx]