Even though Pensacola has been counting down the days for the area’s first Costco, visitors were still shocked to see hundreds of people line up around the building hours before the 8 a.m. opening to be among the store’s first customers.
Excitement was in the air as patrons lined up their buggies, flashed their membership cards and wide smiles to team members, and embarked on a sample tour de Costco. The early-morning crowd was rewarded with warm Colombian coffee samples, diced-up breakfast burritos and fresh-baked croissants, among the dozens of other freebies for which the brand is known.
For those willing to splurge on an actual meal rather than filling up on free samples, many customers had their sights set on Costco’s famed $1.50 hot dog combo, which can be grabbed to go or enjoyed at one of the store’s umbrella-topped tables.
Costco’s reputation, mainly centered around affordable shopping, unique finds and its popular Kirkland-brand goods, was so strong it drove even first-time customers to wait in line. It does pay to be a new member, as Costco is offering some major promotions until July 25.
With the purchase of a basic membership, customers will receive a $20 gift card. With the purchase of an executive membership, new members will receive a $40 gift card.
First-time shopper Tracey Hunter couldn’t wait to try out the store, arriving at about 5:45 a.m.
“To be honest with you, this is my first Costco visit,” she said. “It’s very exciting, like I said, I always was curious … we knew it was going to be a long line. We were ready for it. We got our membership last week.”
Seasoned Costco shopper Sheila Salerno, originally from Washington, purchased her first membership card in the ’80s. She was thrilled to finally get a store closer to her home in Chumuckla, without risking her chocolate chips melting during an online delivery order.
In Washington, the nearest Costco was more than an hour away, so whenever she made the trip, she made the most of it, often filling up multiple shopping carts with items.
“There was just three in the family, but I kept pushing the big orange carts through the store and people would stop me and ask if I had six children,” she said of her earliest shopping trips. “The paper products is always a big one. Costco came through during COVID, because they were the only ones who had toilet paper.”
Families were also getting their children in on the fun, some wearing homemade matching T-shirts with phrases such as, “I’d rather be at Costco.”
There were few Costco members more excited than Tammy Brooks of Cantonment, who was lined up at about 6:45 a.m.
Since she’s grown accustomed to having to drive for her Costco haul, it’s almost too good to be true that she now has one in her own backyard.
“We needed one for several years. We travel to Tallahassee and to Mobile to go to Costco. We’re so excited, it’s literally 5 to 7 minutes from my house,” Brooks said. “I plan to be up here weekly.”
When it comes to competing membership clubs in the area, Costco’s quality is what sets it apart from the rest, she said. That and its wide variety of items.
“They just have unique things that other stores don’t have,” Brooks said.
When asked why she would arrive so early to shop, her answer was simple.
“Who wouldn’t? It’s Costco!” she said.
Five of Costco’s best buys:
What are the differences in Costco membership tiers?
Costco memberships come in two flavors: Gold Star and Executive. A Gold Star membership costs $65 per year, while an Executive membership costs $130 per year.
Gold Star perks
Executive perks
How do I sign up for a Costco membership?
Membership booths will be available outside the store during store hours for the next three to four weeks to assist with in-person membership applications. However, customers can also apply for membership inside at the membership center and online through Costco’s website.
Pensacola Costco hours
For Executive members, Costco is open 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
For Gold Star and business member hours, Costco is open 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The gas station is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
The pharmacy is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and closed Sunday. When only one pharmacist is on duty the pharmacy may be closed for 30 minutes between the hours of 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
For more information, visit Costco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Hundreds wait hours for Costco opening. It was worth the wait.
Reporting by Brittany Misencik and Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brittany Misencik and Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
