South Windsor Costco preparing to open Nov. 16

Joseph Villanova, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

Nov. 5—SOUTH WINDSOR — The long-awaited Costco near Evergreen Walk will open this month after construction of a 163,000-square-foot warehouse and work on Buckland Road to help with traffic flow.

"They have been asking us to open here for a long time, and we already have made an impact on the local job market," warehouse manager Lou Mendes said in a written statement.

The new store at 1220 Tamarack Ave. will open Tuesday, Nov. 16, and will include a food court, gas station, pharmacy, optical department, and hearing aid center. It will employ 160 people.

Town Manager Michael Maniscalco said Costco brings cost-effective shopping options to residents, as well as a number of jobs to town.

"They have a long history as great corporate neighbors," Maniscalco said. "We all look forward to the grand opening and a long successful relationship."

Maniscalco said the Planning and Zoning Commission required as part of its project approval the recent work on Buckland Road, which included narrowing a traffic island to allow for more queuing space in the turning lane. It was done by Costco at its expense.

In April 2019, the Town Council approved Costco for a seven-year, 60% tax abatement on the construction, then assessed at $16.7 million. Developers requested the abatement due to unstable soils on the site that would require additional work.

The PZC approved the site plan for the Costco store in November 2020. Crews broke ground on the site in April.

Issues discussed during public hearings and meetings with Costco included nighttime truck activity, sidewalk access, and electric vehicle charging stations.

The closest Costco locations are in Enfield, New Britain, and West Springfield.

Joseph covers East Hartford and South Windsor. He joined the JI in July 2021. Joseph graduated from the University of Connecticut and he is an avid guitarist and coffee enthusiast.