Costco construction underway for North Port store in Sarasota County. When will it open?

Samantha Gholar, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
Costco has closed on its newest store location in Wellen Park near U.S. 41, east of West Villages Parkway this week inching closer to seeing the 157,000-square-foot store open its doors in south Sarasota County in early 2024.
Costco has closed on its newest store location in Wellen Park near U.S. 41, east of West Villages Parkway this week inching closer to seeing the 157,000-square-foot store open its doors in south Sarasota County in early 2024.

Big box national retailer Costco has closed on the site for its newest store location, in North Port's Wellen Park development near U.S. 41, east of West Villages Parkway, according to a news release from Wellen Park and a spokeswoman for Costco said opening of the 157,000-square-foot store in south Sarasota County in early summer of 2024.

Costco announced its plan to open the region's third Costco Warehouse in North Port earlier this year and construction has commenced the company spokeswoman said.

“We are thrilled to welcome Costco to Wellen Park,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park via press release Tuesday.

“This is an incredible addition for our residents, as they have been very encouraged about what Costco will provide for them.”

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In addition to offering Wellen Park residents another shopping option, Costco will also bring in hundreds of new job opportunities for the region, ranging from entry-level to management.

The store is expected to employ upwards of 200 people upon its opening, adding to the hundreds of job opportunities in the growing Wellen Park community and U.S. 41 corridor in North Port. Severance said 500 people are already employed in the Downtown Wellen area.

ICYMI: Why did Costco pick North Port?

Costco warehouse is a membership warehouse retailer, similar to Sam's Club, that provides a wide selection of merchandise at lower prices. Shelves and aisles are large-scale ins the store where shoppers can find everything from groceries, housewares, health and beauty aids and alcohol to cameras, watches, sporting goods, televisions, office supplies and equipment, toys, automotive supplies, and appliances, under one roof. The new Wellen Park store will also include its signature gas station and a full automotive service center.

This rendering shows the roundabout that will be built at the intersection of U.S. 41 with Tortuga Cay Drive (top) and Mezzo Drive. The planned Costco will be located at the southeast corner of the intersection (bottom right).
This rendering shows the roundabout that will be built at the intersection of U.S. 41 with Tortuga Cay Drive (top) and Mezzo Drive. The planned Costco will be located at the southeast corner of the intersection (bottom right).

Where will Costco be in North Port?

Costco owners, Manasota Beach Ranchlands LLLP, resubmitted the store's site plan at the beginning of 2023 and plans are progressing for construction of the store at the southeast corner of U.S. 41 and Mezzo Drive.

Initial plans had projected an early 2024 opening of the Wellen Park store, but a company spokeswoman Tuesday said the timing is now expected to be early next summer.

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Costco warehouse at Wellen Park in North Port is underway