Beaufort County Will Have to Wait for Costco
Residents of Beaufort County, get ready to manage your expectations! If you’ve been dreaming of biting into a savory piece of 17-pound English Blue Cheese or indulging in almost 3 pounds of Nesquick chocolate milk powder, it looks like you’ll have to be a bit more patient. The buzz about a Costco coming to town has been swirling for years, and it seems that those hopes might be dashed—at least for now.
What’s Happening with Costco?
Recently, Costco announced a fresh list of new locations they’re planning to open by March 2025. They’ve mentioned spots in Brentwood, CA; Genesee County, MI; Highland, CA; Prosper, TX; Sharon, MA; and Weatherford, TX. But if you’re holding your breath for a shiny new Costco in the Lowcountry, don’t get your hopes up too high just yet. Unfortunately, Beaufort County isn’t on this list, and it doesn’t seem like that’s going to change anytime soon.
Interestingly enough, Costco has several locations currently under construction in places like Stuart, FL and Midland, TX, which aren’t listed either. When it comes to future sites, the company only tends to share details three months ahead of time. So, for those of you in Beaufort County daydreaming about the endless aisles of bulk goodies, you may want to shift that dreaming a little further down the line!
The Rumors That Just Won’t Die
For years, the whispers about Costco setting up shop in Okatie Crossing off S.C. 170 and U.S. 278 have flooded local forums and neighborhood chats. Developer Doug Horne, president of Horne Properties, previously shed some light, revealing a few years back in early 2019 that a deal was stalled over costs. It seems this is one rumor that just won’t fade away.
The closest Costco to Beaufort County is located in Pooler, GA, conveniently situated just west of Savannah. If you’re willing to travel a bit further, you can also explore their locations in Mt. Pleasant and Charleston, SC. With a total of 625 locations nationwide, this membership warehouse club is renowned for its affordable bulk products and an enticing food court menu. (Note to fans: the once-popular churro on the menu has been replaced with a delightful $2.49 chocolate chip cookie this January!)
What Lies Ahead for Costco?
During a recent fiscal earnings call, Costco’s CFO, Gary Millerchip, dropped some exciting news, revealing that the company plans to open 26 new warehouses during the 2025 fiscal year. Out of these, 12 of them will land outside the United States, showcasing Costco’s growing global presence.
So what does all this mean for the hopeful shoppers of Beaufort County? Well (drumroll please), it means patience is the name of the game. For the time being, you might want to start stockpiling non-perishables before you make that road trip to the nearest Costco for those bulk buys. Whether you’re a fan of their signature pizza slices or just love scoring massive deals on everyday items, keep your hopes up, and who knows what the future holds?
Stay tuned for more updates on this whirlwind journey, and keep those taste buds ready for when Costco finally arrives—if it ever does. Until then, happy shopping, and remember, the best bargains are worth waiting for!
