It certainly took long enough but at 6 am Thursday, Costco will open their newest location on 4077 Portage Avenue near Assiniboia Downs. It is a big location at just under 167,000 square feet. The massive gas station with pumps three deep has been open for a a few weeks. There is a special entrance to the Costco but it is likely going to be chaos. The 1000 or so parking spaces will be meaningless if everyone is at a chokepoint getting in and off of Portage. I don't even want to guess what it will be like during Christmas, Red River Ex or Derby. It is very probably that major road improvements will have to be made to the entrance to Costco.
It is likely that some people will be diverted from Kenaston Costco. Those living in St. James, Charleswood and Tuxedo as well as those west of the Perimeter will make Portage there chosen location. People at Kenaston hoping for their store to be less crowded might not see much change. The growing community of Bridgwater and South Point to the north and the Kapyong Barracks and Seasons apartments are adding thousands of units of housing.
The old St. James Polo Park location becomes a Business Centre same day Portage location opens up. The pharmacy transfers to Portage Thursday. Many of the staff will be there as well. There are a number of items as listed as sales in store but is unclear if this exclusive to this opening. It is expected that some work will be continuing on some construction even as the store welcomes customers.
Unlike other Costcos in the city, this one has apartments all around it. Many of those people will be commuting as well in and out of the same entrances. And more apartments will be built over the next months and years.
As for the old St. James Polo Park location, they will be selling discounted meat on their re-opening today as a business center. Expect it to be busy.
One more Costco off north Main will be built in 2026 so traffic patterns will be realigned and perhaps...perhaps some traffic sanity will emerge in around Costco.
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