I’ve been saving up news stories about new locations or possible new locations for a while now, so I decided I’d just put them all in a big post. These seven little news blurbs will give you a pretty good idea of where you can expect new Costco locations in 2011 and even out to 2012. I’ll be adding these to the list on the Locations page and will try to keep the dates updated so they are something a little more precise than just a season and a year.
Construction begins on Vancouver, Washington shopping center anchored by Costco
A new $40 million shopping center, called Lacmass Crossing, has started construction at Northeast 192nd Avenue and Southeast First Street in East Vancouver, Washington. The whole development will cover 181,000 square foot and contain fifteen retail stores and restaurants, but the majority of it will be taken up with a new Costco. The new Costco location will be a 154,000 square foot warehouse as well as a gas station, and clearly anchor the shopping center. The Costco is scheduled to open by November and will be hiring 350 full-time employees. The new shopping area is across the street from an existing shopping center that includes as Home Depot and a Walmart. The site is also near Union High School, Shahala Middle School and Illahee Elementary School and Southwest Washington Medical Center has plans for expansion across the street.
Costco to Relocate Chesterfield, Virginia Store Near Mall
Costco has finalized the purchase of a 15 acre plot just off Koger Center Boulevard and work has begun already to clear the land. It looks like construction will start in the next few weeks with a target of opening the new location in Spring 2011. While this is a new location, Costco isn’t really new to the area since this will be a relocation of their current location on Hull Street Road. The new location will be part of The Woodlands, an 80 acre development that will also include a 400 unit apartment complex, restaurants, 150,000 square foot of retail space (not including the Costco), and some of the 80 acres will remain undeveloped due to existing wetlands. As a result of the new development, the existing Mall Drive will be extended almost a mile to Robious Road and will give drivers a direct route to Midlothian Turnpike when finished in 2011.
Costco Coming to Wheaton, Maryland – But Maybe Not with a Gas Station
Costco has decided to go ahead with their plan to build a new Costco location by the Westfield Wheaton mall by Fall 2011. However, getting their 16-pump gas station approved is another issue all together. Costco addicts in southern Montgomery County are rejoicing that soon they won’t have to drive to Gaithersburg or Beltsville to do thier Costco shopping. Originally, Costco had submitted plans for the store and gas station and said that they would one build if they could do it all. They’ve now decided to go forward with the store, and seek a special exception for a gas station separately. That process could take up to a year. Residents has vowed to continue the fight against the gas station which they say is far too close to the Kensington Heights community. But the plans for the new Costco are going forward, in the meantime. They will be taking over the second level of the former Hecht’s, which has stood empty since 2006. The first level will get another large retail tenant such as Kohl’s or Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Costco Coming to Westfield Topanga Mall
Costco will be opening a new location in the Warner Center with an opening sometimes in late 2012. The 146,000 square foot store will be the main anchor tenant of the Village at Westfield Topanga development, between Westfield’s existing Topanga and Promenade centers. Costco was lured to the project when the city used a recent expansion of its enterprise zone, a state program that gives tax credits to companies that hire local workers. The new Costco location will employ up to 300 permanent workers.
Westfield Reaches Deal to Bring Costco to Three Markets
As you can probably guess from the two blurbs above, The Westfield Group has been busy getting Costco to anchor some of their malls. Obviously, two of the three locations are in Wheaton, Maryland and Los Angeles, California, but the third one will make lots of people who read this blog from Florida pretty happy: Sarasota, Florida. That’s right, Sarasota is going to get a new Costco location in the Westfield Sarasota Square mall. A former department store in the mall will be redeveloped to house the 145,000 square foot Costco that will open in late 2011. This would be the first Costco location along the Florida Gulf Coast. The nearest Costco to Sarasota currently is about 40 miles away.
Costco in Huntington Beach, California
There appears to be the faintest glimmer of hope that Huntington Beach will be getting a new Costco location, sometime. The tenth Orange County location is being proposed for 7601 Edinger Avenue near the Bella Terra mall. The city’s Design Review Board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to consider plans for the 154,113-square-foot wholesale retailer, which would include a tire shop, outside food court, and a 16-pump gas station. The board’s review of the plans is the first step toward approvals for the project, which would need to be considered by the Planning Commission and the City Council before getting the green light. There would need to be a change to the zoning, so that could prove to be an issue. Although, the new Costco will be part of a new development called The Village that would include up to 468 multi-family homes and 30,000 square-feet of additional retail space.
Costco to open new Southampton store on BAT site
Here in the UK, we shouldn’t feel too left out because Costco is in the early stages of planning a new location in Southampton. The site that they are looking at is part of the BAT site in Millbrook. Costco has struck a deal to buy a ten-acre plot off Regents Park Road, formerly used for cigarette manufacturing, subject to planning permission. Costco has been looking to open a location in the Southampton area for several years. A Costco spokesman said the store would provide “at least 160 well paid jobs at opening, rising to at least 250 within three years of opening”.