Efforts to save Austin’s closing Target store are too late, according to company officials.

The Minneapolis-based chain announced Tuesday that it will close Austin and 10 other stores, a decision that incited a wave of community support to keep Target in Austin: Residents have taken to Facebook, petitions and company call-lines to try to entice the company to change its mind.

Danielle Nesvold, who started the petition online and the “Save the Austin, MN Target from closing” Facebook page, said the petition had about 1,600 people trying to save Target as of noon on Wednesday.

“It’s just one more element to show people’s concern,” Nesvold said.

The Facebook page asks people to call Target and express their concern over the loss of the store. People who have called have told Nesvold Target representatives have said they have received a lot of calls about the store.

Despite the feedback, Target is standing by its decision to close.

“We appreciate the interest, but the decision has been made and the store will close effective Feb. 1,” Target spokesman Evan Lapiska wrote in an email to the Herald.

Lapiska previously said the company chose to close the stores based on several years of declining performance.

Nesvold had hoped Target managers and CEOs would look at the bigger picture, and think about where their business could be in the future, with Vision 2020’s plan to make Austin a destination for more people to work, live and shop.

“It’s important for people to speak up,” Nesvold said. “If it doesn’t inspire the store to stay, it inspires people to use their voice.”

Nesvold certainly isn’t alone. After being elected to the Austin City Council Ward 2 seat, Dave Hagen said he plans to continue working toward saving the store as well.

“I’m a big advocate of trying to save Target right now, that’s on the top of my list,” he told the Herald Tuesday. “Maybe we are beating our heads against the wall, but nothing happens unless you try.”

Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandy Forstner was pleased to see the outpouring of support for Target, but conceded it was unlikely to alter the corporation’s plans. The best way to support business, Forstner said, is to give them business while they’re here.

“That’s really the way to stabilize some of this turnover,” Forstner said.

Jenae Hackensmith contributed to this report.