Opening day at Costco Wholesale store in Oconomowoc included civic fanfare and plenty of customers — that is, “members” — taking advantage of the early-in-the-day opening Aug. 7 of the new 161,500-square-foot store on the city’s eastern edge just west of Sawyer Road off Pabst Farms Boulevard.
Tyler O’Dwyer, the store’s general manager, said in comments ahead of a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting and in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Costco’s members are loyal – so intensely that some reportedly showed up as early as 4:30 p.m. the previous day to form a line. (Other Costco officials said some stayed overnight, not an unusual occurrence for the wholesale chain’s new stores.)
“I don’t think it’s an urban legend,” O’Dwyer said. “Our members are loyal to us, and we’re loyal to them. So that’s really that connection with Costco in our communities.”
Oconomowoc Costco shoppers came from near and far
How loyal? One member drove from Buffalo Grove, Illinois, a 90-mile trip.
“I was on a mission,” Stephanie Solovy said as she pushed a large flat shopping cart through the crowded store at 8 a.m. “I literally stayed at a hotel just to come here.” The goal: to purchase Costco’s capybara, a giant plush toy that sells for about $45. “It’s impossible to find. Go look on TikTok.”
Ally Woods’ trip from the middle of Jefferson County was shorter. Before the Oconomowoc store opened, she traveled to the Pewaukee location routinely. She was enthralled by the newest location.
“Oh, yes, definitely, this is a very convenient location, considering we were coming from the west side in Johnson Creek,” Woods said. “So we’re excited to be here. Absolutely.”
The locals, of course, were in supply, as well. Olha Williamson of Oconomowoc no longer has to drive to the Pewaukee store for her warehouse shopping. “It’s great,” she said.
Alyssa Sanfilippo of Waukesha also has used the Pewaukee store for her shopping. But because her mother-in-law lives closer to the Oconomowoc store, the slightly longer trip west still made sense, especially for opening day.
Oconomowoc and store officials laud new location
City and Costco officials, among others, celebrated the day as an accomplishment – both for the store and for Oconomowoc as a community.
O’Dwyer, who was involved in the store-opening process from the start, including the substantial hiring process of about 150 employees, said it was a team effort on Costco’s side.
“From the infrastructure to working with the buying team, it’s a collaborative effort in which we all work to make this come together in a short period of time,” he said, noting the particularly busy month leading up to the opening.
O’Dwyer also recognized Costco’s value to Oconomowoc, where officials have viewed Costco as an important new anchor to its retail and business wing of Pabst Farms along Interstate 94.
“We want to be in a new community. We want to be at the forefront of development, whether it’s business structure or community [oriented],” he said.
Oconomowoc Mayor Matt Rosek, in an interview preceding the ribbon-cutting ceremony in which he spoke, acknowledged the city’s investment in time and planning since Costco announced in April 2025 it was coming to the city. It was the payoff he’d hoped for.
“Looking at the lines out there, I think it is,” Rosek said, pointing to the queue that stretched along the east wall of the building before the doors opened. “I think people are going to be absolutely pleased here, to shop and save some money, and the convenience of having the store right here.”
Sara Ninmann, the director of community events with the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce, said Costco should be a business booster for the city and western part of Waukesha County.
“It’s very important for the business community,” Ninmann said. “We see so much growth happening here right now that [Costco] is instrumental. We’re really happy to be a part of it. … Once something like Costco comes, then everything fills in.”
It’s a message Oconomowoc’s director of development, Bob Duffy, had repeatedly stressed as Costco’s plans advanced in 2025 toward construction. In an emailed statement to the Journal Sentinel on Aug. 6, he doubled down on that message, calling the new store “a significant win for regional economic development.”
“[It] will serve as a retail and restaurant attraction catalyst,” Duffy said. “The future commercial influx will directly support our broader business attraction and tourism efforts, bringing new visitors to explore other significant community assets such as our charming downtown, recreational lakes, and local hospitality businesses.”
The Oconomowoc store, with a custom-named access road (1855 Kirkland Way), is the fourth Costco location in Waukesha County, joining stores in Pewaukee, Menomonee Falls, and New Berlin. A store in Franklin is also expected to open within a few months.
Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New Costco opens in Oconomowoc to enthusiastic shoppers
Reporting by Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
