Exciting news for Bend residents! The current Costco on Bend's eastside has announced its upcoming move to a brand-new location on the northside, set to open on October 19. This impressive new 52-acre site, located off Highway 20 between Cooley Road and Robal Lane, will include a gas station, car wash, housing, and retail buildings in addition to the new Costco store. Costco has assured that all current employees will keep their jobs, and the existing building will be up for sale shortly after the grand opening of the new store.
Costco's journey began in 1976 when its predecessor, Price Club, opened its first location in a converted airplane hangar in San Diego. Initially catering exclusively to small businesses, Price Club quickly realized the potential of expanding its customer base to non-business members, leading to the rapid growth of the warehouse club industry.
In 1983, Costco opened its first warehouse in Seattle, and within six years, it became the first company to reach $3 billion in sales. The merger of Costco and Price Club in 1993, creating PriceCostco, further accelerated this growth, with 206 locations generating $16 billion annually.
Costco's success is built on a simple yet powerful operating philosophy: keep costs low and pass the savings on to members. This approach, combined with a strong emphasis on quality and efficiency, has allowed Costco to expand globally, with sales surpassing $64 billion in recent years. The company's commitment to its employees, offering fair wages and excellent benefits, has fostered a positive workplace culture, contributing to its ongoing success as the world's leading warehouse club.
