Doubt this is related...but have noticed they were making improvements to the facade of the shopping center on the SW corner of 33rd and Boulevard in Edmond. They previously had been working on irrigation / landscaping improvements as well.

I believe it used to be a grocery store but has been vacant for awhile. I would welcome any kind of new grocery there...the Homeland down the street is awful...although Sprouts is only a couple of miles away and is one of the best groceries I've been to.

I could see Costco opening 3 locations, but they would likely be bigger than 90,000 sq ft. Hoepfully your source is wrong on the square footage and it ends up being a full sized Costco ;)

I could see Costco opening 3 locations, but they would likely be bigger than 90,000 sq ft. Hoepfully your source is wrong on the square footage and it ends up being a full sized Costco ;)

If the metro can support 7 Sam's Clubs, I wouldn't see a problem with it supporting three Costcos. If Costco comes into the market, they are going head to head with a very entrenched Wal-Mart/Sam's Club, and the only way to do that is to come in strong.

Agreed

I really hope it's Costco too, but I don't think it is.

I could see Costco opening 3 locations, but they would likely be bigger than 90,000 sq ft. Hoepfully your source is wrong on the square footage and it ends up being a full sized Costco ;)


If the metro can support 7 Sam's Clubs, I wouldn't see a problem with it supporting three Costcos. If Costco comes into the market, they are going head to head with a very entrenched Wal-Mart/Sam's Club, and the only way to do that is to come in strong.
There are only two Costco's in Austin and they were opened years apart. Their newer stores are typically larger than 90,000 sf. Sam's had a many years head start in Austin, I don't think they would have to do anything out of the norm, Costco generally creates its own buzz in a new market.

There are only two Costco's in Austin and they were opened years apart. Their newer stores are typically larger than 90,000 sf. Sam's had a many years head start in Austin, I don't think they would have to do anything out of the norm, Costco generally creates its own buzz in a new market.Well, I don't know about Austin, but I'm sure if the DFW can support 9-10 Costco's, OKC metro can support 3. I understand they are bigger than 90,000 sf, that's why I said maybe Pete's source might be off about the sf and we might get lucky lol(like Beavis and Butthead trying to score!!!!!!) It would be awesome if OKC would score a Costco here. I'd be the first to sign up ;)

World Market has 3 locations here in Jax.

From the Oklahoman:

Costco talk in Oklahoma City

Published: August 20, 2013 by Richard Hall
A reader writes:

Hi Richard. Just read your article (on big-box retail space). I’m sure you’re tired of this question, but what’s the latest on Costco in Oklahoma City? Any thoughts on where they would go first? Edmond? Norman? Or OKC? Thanks for your time and an update.

-Terry

Talk is that if and when Costco comes, it’ll land along the Memorial Road corridor in the Quail Springs Mall area. A broker who does lots of land deals for freestanding boxes said: “My guess is that they are a year or so away from inking a deal, but that is speculation.”

Richard Hall

Costco talk in Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/costco-talk-in-oklahoma-city/article/3873798)

I would kill for a Costco here! What is this source that Pete speaks of?

I would kill for a Costco here! What is this source that Pete speaks of?

The number one thing delaying Costco is the liquor laws. They probably will come here regardless eventually, but they would already be here if they could sell wine.

The number one thing delaying Costco is the liquor laws. They probably will come here regardless eventually, but they would already be here if they could sell wine.

Yet they have stores in Colorado and Kansas.

Yet they have stores in Colorado and Kansas.

Which jives with the first half of the second sentence.

Yet they have stores in Colorado and Kansas.

I'm pretty sure that all the Kansas Costco locations are in Johnson County. Johnson County is a strange bird. It is less a part of Kansas and more part of the wealthy suburbs of Kansas City, MO. One of the wealthiest counties in the country.

I agree it has to change. For years it was said the closest thing Oklahoma has to organized crime, with ties to NE crime families and the whole bit, is the liquor package stores. I have a feeling that's changed. Maybe legislators can at least pass a county option for non-package store retail sales like they did back in the day for liquor by the drink.

I'm pretty sure that all the Kansas Costco locations are in Johnson County. Johnson County is a strange bird. It is less a part of Kansas and more part of the wealthy suburbs of Kansas City, MO. One of the wealthiest counties in the country.

I agree it has to change. For years it was said the closest thing Oklahoma has to organized crime, with ties to NE crime families and the whole bit, is the liquor package stores. I have a feeling that's changed. Maybe legislators can at least pass a county option for non-package store retail sales like they did back in the day for liquor by the drink.

I totally agree with this. Oklahoma should adopt Arkansas' liquor laws which are similar to what you describe. Arkansas is also a conservative state, possibly even moreso than Oklahoma. Their laws are as follows.

*Full strength beer and wine in grocery stores
*Hard liquor only in package stores
*Liquor by the drink 7 days/week
*No Sunday sales at grocery stores or package stores
*Counties can pass stricter laws up to and including total prohibition

I think this would be an excellent compromise.

Has there been any bill to make some sort of compromise on the absurd alcohol laws? Would something like the Arkansas Alcohol laws be shot down here in OK? I am already excited about my special trip next week down to Dallas to get some trader joe's and go to Costco and Ikea. It would be so nice if we could have some of that up here.

Has there been any bill to make some sort of compromise on the absurd alcohol laws? Would something like the Arkansas Alcohol laws be shot down here in OK? I am already excited about my special trip next week down to Dallas to get some trader joe's and go to Costco and Ikea. It would be so nice if we could have some of that up here.

That's one benefit of living in Oklahoma City. We live so close and an easy drive to a great American metropolitan area in DFW.

No Sunday sales at grocery stores? No thanks

No Sunday sales at grocery stores? No thanks

I would gladly trade watered down 3.2 beer on Sundays for being able to get cold full-strength beer and wine the other six days of the week.

I probably would to, but don't you think that's even more ridiculous? Just mirror Texas' liqour laws...and build a Spec's in Oklahoma City.

I totally agree with this. Oklahoma should adopt Arkansas' liquor laws which are similar to what you describe. Arkansas is also a conservative state, possibly even moreso than Oklahoma. Their laws are as follows.

*Full strength beer and wine in grocery stores
*Hard liquor only in package stores
*Liquor by the drink 7 days/week
*No Sunday sales at grocery stores or package stores
*Counties can pass stricter laws up to and including total prohibition

I think this would be an excellent compromise.
Once again, due to their small population, I don't think we need the approval of the rural counties to make liquor laws less strict for the more populated counties, who desire it. I bet you have to go back prior to 1984 before a pro state alcohol question was turned down by the voters. So, I hope the proposal to allow grocery stores to sell wine in the 15 most populated counties gets on the ballot and approved to prove the validity of my point. Surely, we don't have to join with Arkansas and adopt the most prohibitive and liberty robbing options of its alcohol regulations and the added confusion that would go with it. After all, the year is 2013!

Besides that, in my opinion, I think the main hold up in reforming overly restrictive alcohol laws is the desire on the part of legislators to cater to the liquor store owners and their monopolistic like merchandising needs, not the people in rural counties.

In return for allowing grocery stores to sell wine, I think liquor store owners should be permitted to sell refrigerated beer and most anything else the alcohol customer may need.

I probably would to, but don't you think that's even more ridiculous? Just mirror Texas' liqour laws...and build a Spec's in Oklahoma City.
As it is Spec's couldn't open up a store in Oklahoma unless they had a family member living there for a long time. I couldn't open up a liquor store in Oklahoma since I haven't lived in Oklahoma for the last 10 years even though I lived 37 of my 49 years there. The liquor laws in Oklahoma are some of the most protectionist sets of laws there can be.

Someone local could open up a large liquor store but couldn't sell items that "aid consumption" like selling glasses or food like Spec's carries. We have an 80,000 sf liquor store out in Littleton even though we have similar laws in terms of ownership in Colorado (the 10 year residency requirement is not one of them) in that a person can only hold one liquor store license. That is why Whole Foods (Boulder), Trader Joe's (Denver), King Soupers (Glendale) only has one store with liquor, the rest have 3.2 beer and no wine. Tipsy's Liquor World (http://www.tipsysliquorworld.com/) is more like Spec's than a typical liquor store here and in Oklahoma. Liquor stores are open on Sunday here, including the external, leased store adjacent to Sam's Club, I don't recall the similar stores at the Costco stores here like they had in Austin.

Bunty your last sentence hits the nail on the head. Its such a simple solution. I'd still buy beer from Wild Turkey because they'll carry more than a Crest or Buy for Less.

Just having the option to get wine somewhere other than communion on Sundays would be nice.

Bluedog...didn't know about those rules, what a joke. Spec's is so awesome it would blow away Oklahomans wwho know nothing but the liqour stores here.

For the most part every state has some screwy things about their liquor laws, Oklahoma isn't the only one. The last time that I was in Boston they still only sold alcohol in package stores, no beer or wine in Whole Foods or anywhere else. My father remembers when Virginia still had a display in state owned liquor stores and a clerk had to go back and get what you "ordered". Then you had the wet/dry areas in Dallas County by voting district until just a few years ago. I remember having Unicard or private club card for bars/restaurants in "dry areas" from back when I lived in Dallas. It was always easy to tell the wet/dry line from all the liquor stores at the line like on Greenville between Royal Lane and Walnut Hill Lane.

There was an article about Spec's and Twin Liquors in the Austin Chronicle back when Spec's entered the Austin market. Spec's is an interesting case on the Texas liquor laws, it is a "family owned company". It seems that one person can hold five liquor store licenses in Texas, those licenses can be "pooled together" between family members under a brand, that is how Spec's (and others) have so many stores. The license holder is responsible for the store he holds the license for, I think one married couple of the family has ten licenses for the Central Texas area one of them is in the same family as the Spec's founders in Houston. Only family members by blood or marriage are able to pool their licenses in such a manner.

I loved Spec's, went to the one in Sunset Valley quite often and many times left with food items and without anything containing alcohol.

Has there been any bill to make some sort of compromise on the absurd alcohol laws? Would something like the Arkansas Alcohol laws be shot down here in OK? I am already excited about my special trip next week down to Dallas to get some trader joe's and go to Costco and Ikea. It would be so nice if we could have some of that up here.

Oklahoma's liquor laws are written into the state constitution 16 different times. To change it the people would have to vote to amend the state constitution 16 different times. There is a push to get it on one of the future ballots but this will be a complicated bill. It will be very wordy and ask you "yes" or "no" on each proposed change and all 16 will have to pass or it won't happen. I wish it were a simple question on a ballot or a bill that can be passed but that is not the case.

That's one benefit of living in Oklahoma City. We live so close and an easy drive to a great American metropolitan area in DFW.

If Omaha, Overland Park, and Des Moines can support a Costco, I see no reason why OKC can't support them. They don't even sell wine at the KS location. Pull yourself together OKC.

If Omaha, Overland Park, and Des Moines can support a Costco, I see no reason why OKC can't support them. They don't even sell wine at the KS location. Pull yourself together OKC.

There isn't much OKC can do other than to force all of West Edmond to move to the area around Nichols Hills, creating enough high-income density to meet the criteria many of these national retailers require when selecting a new location. All national retailers look at is numbers and despite its size and growth, OKC still looks very risky on paper. Until OKC has a more contiguous area of high-income residents, it will continue to lose out in terms of retail.

There isn't much OKC can do other than to force all of West Edmond to move to the area around Nichols Hills, creating enough high-income density to meet the criteria many of these national retailers require when selecting a new location. All national retailers look at is numbers and despite its size and growth, OKC still looks very risky on paper. Until OKC has a more contiguous area of high-income residents, it will continue to lose out in terms of retail.
They also fail to realize that people in OKC will drive farther than people in other markets might, this is where all their marketing analysis fails them. Many people in Austin think anything on the other side of the river needs a trip planned in advance, I knew very few in OKC who had such a tiny "life bubble" like many of the people that I knew in Austin. I know that a friend at Whole Foods said the corporate types were shocked at how the OKC store attracted people from all over the metro, they completely underestimated the market demand and willingness of people to drive to the store.

There isn't much OKC can do other than to force all of West Edmond to move to the area around Nichols Hills, creating enough high-income density to meet the criteria many of these national retailers require when selecting a new location. All national retailers look at is numbers and despite its size and growth, OKC still looks very risky on paper. Until OKC has a more contiguous area of high-income residents, it will continue to lose out in terms of retail.

It's not really density. It's a lack of quality retail centers. There are just very few decent developments that these national guys would even consider, and the few good ones are basically full. We can blame sprawl or density issues but its simply a lack of good shopping centers

It's not really density. It's a lack of quality retail centers. There are just very few decent developments that these national guys would even consider, and the few good ones are basically full. We can blame sprawl or density issues but its simply a lack of good shopping centers

I think both are contributing factors, however I have no doubt quality developments would happen here if developers had confidence in this market. That's when it goes back to the number of high income residents within a specific number of miles from a perspective location. This is where OKC fails. Nichols Hills, Edmond, Gaillardia, Westmoore, Heritage Hills, etc are all too far apart to fall within an acceptable radius from said perspective location. They run the same numbers in Tulsa, Omaha, and Des Moines and they look much, much better.

If all of the aforementioned areas were packed next to each other in North Central OKC, we would probably have a Nordstrom, Saks, Crate & Barrel, Central Market, etc by now.

Most of the developments in OKC are local developers, 2008 killed any momentum they had going towards nice, new developments.

Maybe all but Central Market since HEB/CM has not expanded outside of Texas except for the Mexico joint venture which is a separate entity.

Oklahoma's liquor laws are written into the state constitution 16 different times. To change it the people would have to vote to amend the state constitution 16 different times. There is a push to get it on one of the future ballots but this will be a complicated bill. It will be very wordy and ask you "yes" or "no" on each proposed change and all 16 will have to pass or it won't happen. I wish it were a simple question on a ballot or a bill that can be passed but that is not the case.

You make it confusing. Then how did the question to allow liquor stores to open during election day hours get on the ballot as the only alcohol related question several years ago? Because that worthless law wasn't in the state constitution?

Most of the developments in OKC are local developers, 2008 killed any momentum they had going towards nice, new developments.

Maybe all but Central Market since HEB/CM has not expanded outside of Texas except for the Mexico joint venture which is a separate entity.

True. There were several that were proposed that were cancelled because of the economic collapse. It came at a terrible timing for OKC. If it would have held off another year I think some stuff could have been built, and while it may have taken a while to fully lease it it would have eventually happened and we would now have much better retail in this city.

You make it confusing. Then how did the question to allow liquor stores to open during election day hours get on the ballot as the only alcohol related question several years ago? Because that worthless law wasn't in the state constitution?

That was written into the state constitution as well. That was why it was on the ballot. That was toe only issue at the time. The retail strong beer & wine is much more complicated. One down and 16 more to go.

I just heard that Costco has signed a letter of intent to build a store in North Oklahoma City. Has anyone heard more details about this?

I just heard that Costco has signed a letter of intent to build a store in North Oklahoma City. Has anyone heard more details about this? Source?

I just checked Costco's website, and they are opening one in October in Sioux Falls, SD....SIOUX FALLS!! Good grief.

I just checked Costco's website, and they are opening one in October in Sioux Falls, SD....SIOUX FALLS!! Good grief.

I was in a good mood... & you just had to ruin it, didn't you?

I just checked Costco's website, and they are opening one in October in Sioux Falls, SD....SIOUX FALLS!! Good grief.

South Dakota also has better liquor laws and less Wal-Mart saturation I am sure. I am sure those are the reasons they aren't yet in OKC. Regardless, I will be surprised if they aren't here within three years.

South Dakota also has better liquor laws and less Wal-Mart saturation I am sure. I am sure those are the reasons they aren't yet in OKC. Regardless, I will be surprised if they aren't here within three years.

Just out of curiosity, do you go a day without posting about OK liquor laws, WalMart saturation or some other OKC deficiency?

I think the area North of Memorail and east of Penn would be a good location. I am not sure they would want to be that close to Target though.

I think the area North of Memorail and east of Penn would be a good location. I am not sure they would want to be that close to Target though.

I wonder? It seems to me that those who have the most competitive pricing like to build really close to their competitors.

I think the area North of Memorail and east of Penn would be a good location. I am not sure they would want to be that close to Target though.

How about further out west on Memorial? Or NW Expressway?

The SE/C of Memorial and May would be a good location. I wish they would buy out Gatti Town/Life Church and redo the space over there. That would certainly mean the end for that Homeland next door.

Just out of curiosity, do you go a day without posting about OK liquor laws, WalMart saturation or some other OKC deficiency?

Well, it's unfortunately true what he says.

Just out of curiosity, do you go a day without posting about OK liquor laws, WalMart saturation or some other OKC deficiency?

When discussing retail you can't help but mention those deficiencies. If draconian liquor laws and a Wal-Mart almost every few square miles aren't problems, then why else would stores like Costco or mid-level grocery chains pass this city up for so long? Costco isn't Nordstrom. They don't require the same packed density of high-income homes within a specific radius that upscale retail does.

I also said I will be surprised if Costco ISN'T here within three years even without a liquor law change. OKC is growing and changing and more companies may be willing to take a risk in this market they previously would not have taken.

When discussing retail you can't help but mention those deficiencies. If draconian liquor laws and a Wal-Mart almost every few square miles aren't problems, then why else would stores like Costco or mid-level grocery chains pass this city up for so long? Costco isn't Nordstrom. They don't require the same packed density of high-income homes within a specific radius that upscale retail does.

I also said I will be surprised if Costco ISN'T here within three years even without a liquor law change. OKC is growing and changing and more companies may be willing to take a risk in this market they previously would not have taken.

I hate our liquor laws, but...

Pennsylvania Costcos:
Costco - Cranberry Township 1050 Cranberry Square Drive (724) 778-6303 (tel:(724) 778-6303)
Costco - Harrisburg 5125 Jonestown Road Suite 221 (717) 412-2053 (tel:(717) 412-2053)
Costco - King of Prussia 201 Allendale Road (610) 337-6601 (tel:(610) 337-6601)
Costco - Lancaster 1875 Hempstead Road (717) 396-8460 (tel:(717) 396-8460)
Costco - Montgomeryville in North Wales 740 Upper State Road (215) 353-4153 (tel:(215) 353-4153)
Costco - Robinson in Pittsburgh 202 Costco Drive (412) 490-2204 (tel:(412) 490-2204)
Costco - Sanatoga in Pottstown 14 West Lightcap Road (610) 569-4137 (tel:(610) 569-4137)
Costco - Bucks County in Warminster 100 Veterans Way (215) 347-1950 (tel:(215) 347-1950)
Costco - West Homestead 501 W Waterfront Dr (412) 205-1002 (tel:(412) 205-1002)

Pennsylvania liquor laws (and you thought we had it bad):

Pennsylvania is an alcoholic beverage control state. Wine and spirits are to be sold only in the state owned Wine And Spirits shops, where all prices must remain the same throughout the state (county sales tax may cause the price to differ slightly). People under the age of 21 are allowed to enter Wine and Spirits shops, contrary to popular belief - but only if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The standard business hours for these stores are 9am to 9pm Monday through Saturday with only a hand full of stores open to 10pm such as Franklin Mills (Philadelphia) or Freeport Road (Pittsburgh). Previously, all state-controlled stores were closed on Sundays, but now certain locations are open. Searches for store locations, hours and phone numbers are available on the PLCB web site. Wineries are common throughout the commonwealth, and often sell their wines at storefronts in shopping malls, and persons under the age of 21 are permitted to enter these establishments. Wine was available for a short time in supermarket kiosks, but this practice has ended.[1][2]Beer may only be purchased from a restaurant, bar, licensed beer store, or distributor. Beer distributors mainly sell cases and kegs of beer, not smaller volumes of beer such as six packs. Six and twelve packs, along with individual bottles such as 40 ounce or 24 ounce beers, are sold at bars, restaurants, and licensed retailers. A licensee can sell up to 192 fluid ounces of beer per purchase. For larger quantities one must go to a beverage distributor which sells beer only by the case or keg. Beverage distributors (which also sell soft drinks) may sell beer and malt liquor, but not wine or hard liquor. Unlike the Wine and Spirits shops, people under 21 may enter most beverage distributors without an adult, since most distributors also sell water, soda, ice, and some snack foods. They are subject to the rules of the individual establishment.
Some supermarkets, including Wegmans, Giant Eagle, Giant, and Weis, have begun to sell alcohol within restaurants attached to the main supermarket building, but only under very specific conditions (the restaurant must have a defined separation from the rest of the supermarket, a separate cashier, and seating for at least 30 patrons). Supermarket chain ShopRite has begun to attach Wine and Spirits stores to its stores. For a time, Sheetz obtained a liquor license for a restaurant attached to one of its convenience stores in Altoona.[3] After several debates, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled that the store must sell beer to in-house customers as well as take-out.[4] The 17th Street store now again sells beer and allows limited in store consumption.[5]

The SE/C of Memorial and May would be a good location. I wish they would buy out Gatti Town/Life Church and redo the space over there. That would certainly mean the end for that Homeland next door.

I have a 3 year old son and he would be very sad to see Gattitown gone. It's really a pretty nice indoor arcade. A great draw for kids.

I have a 3 year old son and he would be very sad to see Gattitown gone. It's really a pretty nice indoor arcade. A great draw for kids. Keep in mind that "Main Event" which are very prevelant in the DFW area, are looking and scouting locations for the OKC metro area. Source was from the Dallas Morning News about 3 months ago. Also, in the Real Estate Section of the DO by Richard Mize stated the same thing. Very well run and clean entertainment centers. Another possiblity for OKC metro area!

For what it is worth - Jacksonville (a city similar in nearly every demographic to OKC) is getting our first Trader Joes.

http://jacksonville.com/business/2013-08-29/story/trader-joes-coming-jacksonville-beach

... draconian liquor laws and a Wal-Mart almost every few square miles ...

Maybe, but I'm sure weary of the hyperbole.
Your arguments have been countered many times. SoonerDave and JimKyle have both done a pretty good job of putting your "WalMart ruined OKC" to rest and many other contributors have noted that we are not alone in "draconian" (really? "draconian"? maybe backwards or old-fashioned, but I think draconian infers severe cuts to financial spending, or something like that) liquor laws and some of those less liquor-progressive states have some of the stores you lust after. I'm just saying that I often read the post before I see who wrote it and I can almost ALWAYS peg you (backwards liquor laws, many WalMarts, and it was better in Charlotte and Little Rock), Plutonic Panda (more flyovers, wider highways and Miley Cyrus makes my junk wiggle), and others. Really, I agree with your ideas somewhat, but feel like I bought an anti-Oklahoma-fact-a-day calendar when I read your posts.

Keep in mind that "Main Event" which are very prevelant in the DFW area, are looking and scouting locations for the OKC metro area. Source was from the Dallas Morning News about 3 months ago. Also, in the Real Estate Section of the DO by Richard Mize stated the same thing. Very well run and clean entertainment centers. Another possiblity for OKC metro area!Now that would be pretty cool. I could see one going in the Norman area or perhaps over by the outlet mall. It would be nice to see one somewhere near I-35 and 33rd st. in Edmond.

Maybe, but I'm sure weary of the hyperbole.
Your arguments have been countered many times. SoonerDave and JimKyle have both done a pretty good job of putting your "WalMart ruined OKC" to rest and many other contributors have noted that we are not alone in "draconian" (really? "draconian"? maybe backwards or old-fashioned, but I think draconian infers severe cuts to financial spending, or something like that) liquor laws and some of those less liquor-progressive states have some of the stores you lust after. I'm just saying that I often read the post before I see who wrote it and I can almost ALWAYS peg you (backwards liquor laws, many WalMarts, and it was better in Charlotte and Little Rock), Plutonic Panda (more flyovers, wider highways and Miley Cyrus makes my junk wiggle), and others. Really, I agree with your ideas somewhat, but feel like I bought an anti-Oklahoma-fact-a-day calendar when I read your posts.Oh boy, I really started something, didn't I. . . ;)

Wasn't there a big box mall proposed at Memorial and Santa Fe planned around a Main Event before the economy cratered.

Wasn't there a big box mall proposed at Memorial and Santa Fe planned around a Main Event before the economy cratered. I believe that is correct. ME was to have been one of the anchor tenants along with a Lego land theme area. When the economy soured so did this development.

I Was thinking since okc already has a Nordstrom and Saks outlet why not have a neiman Marcus outlet? I'd love to get some decently priced Marcus clothes.

I hate our liquor laws, but...

Pennsylvania Costcos:
Costco - Cranberry Township 1050 Cranberry Square Drive (724) 778-6303 (tel:(724) 778-6303)
Costco - Harrisburg 5125 Jonestown Road Suite 221 (717) 412-2053 (tel:(717) 412-2053)
Costco - King of Prussia 201 Allendale Road (610) 337-6601 (tel:(610) 337-6601)
Costco - Lancaster 1875 Hempstead Road (717) 396-8460 (tel:(717) 396-8460)
Costco - Montgomeryville in North Wales 740 Upper State Road (215) 353-4153 (tel:(215) 353-4153)
Costco - Robinson in Pittsburgh 202 Costco Drive (412) 490-2204 (tel:(412) 490-2204)
Costco - Sanatoga in Pottstown 14 West Lightcap Road (610) 569-4137 (tel:(610) 569-4137)
Costco - Bucks County in Warminster 100 Veterans Way (215) 347-1950 (tel:(215) 347-1950)
Costco - West Homestead 501 W Waterfront Dr (412) 205-1002 (tel:(412) 205-1002)

Pennsylvania liquor laws (and you thought we had it bad):

So I wonder whats really keeping Costco and World Market out?

I just checked Costco's website, and they are opening one in October in Sioux Falls, SD....SIOUX FALLS!! Good grief.


No, wonder, the median income in Sioux Falls is nearly $8,000 higher. Per capita income is also higher in Sioux Falls. Having 3 Wal-Marts didn't hurt.

I have a 3 year old son and he would be very sad to see Gattitown gone. It's really a pretty nice indoor arcade. A great draw for kids.

I don't think you will have anything to worry about. If Costco were to build on NW Expressway it would probably be closer to the Kilpatrick. If Warr Acres was an chosen they would likely build behind Golden Corral or take the spot Hemisphere's is moving out of. That old Walmart store and the property for that matter is not exactly prime real estate. If you remember, it sat vacant for several years before Incredible Pizza moved into it. For Costco to build there, they would probably want to buy, the Homeland store, the gas station and the Whataburger instead.

On a side note: I do expect Whataburger to move at some point because that old Burger King has to be showing it's age.

So I wonder whats really keeping Costco and World Market out?

I don't know. I used to think it was the liquor laws that kept out Whole Foods too, but again, there are eight of them in PA. I spent a year up there, and talked to a lot of folks who all hated it, but they have some great chains - Wegmans, Giant, Whole Foods, Costco, etc., that manage to operate just fine with the goofy laws.

As a bonus, I went into a Walmart only one time the whole year.