Grand opening of capital region’s newest Costco felt like ‘Disneyland,’ mayor says

Loomis Mayor Stephanie Youngblood found herself verklempt and humbled as she gazed Thursday at what she said seemed like the entire town of Loomis — joined by out-of-state residents — celebrating Costco’s grand opening.

Eager shoppers camped for days before the Sacramento region’s newest warehouse opened around 7:30 a.m. Glossy televisions in the nearly 160,000-square-foot store at 4101 Sierra College Blvd. greeted patrons, some of whom rushed to secure coveted bourbon and whiskey.

“Our whole town came out this morning in support for the opening of Costco and thousands of people were eagerly waiting like at Disneyland waiting to enter the gates for the first time,” Youngblood said.

Costco openings around the region have become a community celebration for elected officials.

A warehouse opened in North Natomas by the company, which is ranked by the National Retail Federation as the third largest retailer in the world, attracted a Fresno resident who drove hours and camped overnight to secure specialty alcohol. More than 9,200 Costco members arrived on that store’s opening day in March, according to a company spokesperson.

On Thursday in Loomis, elected officials including Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo as well as ambassadors from the Auburn Chamber of Commerce queued up outside to peruse the long aisles.

It’s estimated the development will create about 400 jobs and add from $500,000 to $1 million to city coffers. Those figures make it one of largest and most beneficial commercial developments in the town of about 6,700 residents.

“I was so proud and happy for my town and for Costco,” Youngblood said.

Youngblood noted shopping at Costco is a true community experience: Residents can go to work, walk to buy groceries and then run into friends and family members running the same errands.

Perhaps those people will also frequent downtown shops and restaurants, allowing for revenue to stay in Loomis rather than flow to other towns.

Construction began in 2018 for the location directly across from Rocklin’s Sierra Crossing Commercial Center, near the Sierra College Boulevard exit from Interstate 80.

But the development hit a snag after Rocklin challenged Loomis’ environmental impact review. Rocklin city officials repeatedly raised concerns about a potential traffic logjam along Sierra College Boulevard, a major thoroughfare.

The municipalities came to an agreement in October 2022. Costco agreed to pay Rocklin $3.75 million to “mitigate impacts” along the Sierra College Boulevard corridor, according to city officials. Builders also scrapped plans for a new gas station and extended a right turn lane, Rocklin officials said.

A new Costco is scheduled to open in west Roseville as part of a future development called Baseline Marketplace. An opening date has not been set for that site, at the corner of Baseline and Fiddyment roads, but a Costco representative told Roseville City councilmembers the warehouse could open late 2024 or early 2025, according to previous Sacramento Bee reporting.

Plans for the west Roseville’s 160,000-square-foot warehouse include a gas station and car wash.

Costco locations in Sacramento region

Here are the other nearby Costco locations in or within a short drive of Sacramento:

▪ 1600 Expo Parkway, Sacramento

▪ 3360 El Camino Ave., Sacramento

▪ 7981 East Stockton Blvd., Sacramento

▪ 11260 White Rock Road, Rancho Cordova

▪ 7400 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove

▪ 1800 Cavitt Drive, Folsom

▪ 7000 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights

▪ 2299 Bronze Star Drive, Woodland

▪ 6750 Stanford Ranch Road, Roseville