Rumor control: Costco is (still) planning Asheville store

Jason Sandford January 9, 2013

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Costco

Just about a year ago, Ashvegas published a post noting all the rumors swirling about Trader Joe’s and Costco planning new stores in Asheville. A few months later, Trader Joe’s confirmed that it was coming to Merrimon Avenue.

So how about Costco? Well, loyal reader KLW just posted this unconfirmed comment:

I’m from Asheville and have recently returned after living in Durham for a few years. Anyway 2 months ago, I was talking to management at my old Durham Costco store and was told that we, here in Asheville, are in the pipeline for a Costco. Management there said company’s plans for NC are to build a second store in Cary first and then follow this by a store here in Asheville area. The specific timeline I’m not sure of but I just saw this post on WRAL website.

Keeping fingers crossed.

Here’s a little more background on Costco. Folks tell me that several years ago, Costco built a big box building in east Asheville on Fairview Road. But plans changed, and Home Depot eventually moved into the building shell.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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23 Comments

marilynn seits May 17, 2016

I just moved to Asheville a few months ago from New York City where I had a choice of 3 Costcos within a 10 mile radius — I MISS Costco and really hate the thought of driving all the way to Greenville to shop at one….I drew the line on moving to Asheville before they had a Trader Joes but now, thankfully there is one. I thought I could compromise on Costco but would really love to see one come to this area…hope the rumors are true….

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Maxine Fick March 31, 2015

We are moving from NJ to the Asheville area. I have been googling stores that I frequent to see if they exist in the Asheville area. I was amazed to find out that the closest Costco was in Spartanburg with another close by in Greenville. What a bummer! Asheville is a fairly large city in NC. I can’t understand why they would overlook this area. We will be forced to drive almost an hour to get to Costco (I won’t shop in Sam’s Club!). Where we live now, my closest Costco is less than a five minute drive. With so many people relocating to the Asheville area, I think Costco is overlooking a location that would be very profitable for them.

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1. Jason Sandford April 1, 2015
  
  Rumors are that Costco may locate in western Buncombe County, but it’s all still rumor at this point.
  
  Reply
Steve Smith February 4, 2015

I worked for Kmart from 1990-1996, and the Kmart version of Sams was called Pace. They did build the building that is now Home Depot with plans to open a Pace store there. However, Kmart sold all their Pace stores to Walmart and the property was acquired by Home Depot.

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Mary March 4, 2014

I emailed costco about opening a store in Asheville. This is their reply…

[email protected]
To Me
Today at 1:08 PM
Dear Mary,

We appreciate you taking the time to email Costco Wholesale.

While currently we do not have any public information regarding plans to open a Costco in your area, our real estate department is continually looking for ideas for new locations around the country and around the world.
We will forward your suggestion to our Real Estate Department so they are aware of your interest.

Thank you,

Aaron C
Member Service Center
Costco Wholesale Corporation

–Original Message–
From: me
Date: 3/2/2014 4:31:41 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Other

Note this message was submitted through the costco.com web site customer suggestion page on Sun Mar 02 2014 07:30:40 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

Message:
Are we really going to get a Costco in Asheville, NC soon? We really need a Costco but I think its a rumor.

Personal Information:
First Name
Last Name
Email Address >
Contact Number >
Member Number >
Order Number >

2014-03-02 12:29:16 GMT : Escalated : Contact Us
2014-03-02 12:30:39 GMT : Shown : Suggested articles

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Terry December 21, 2013

I recently went to a free pass day at Sams those fools want a Ben Franklin just to come in at 7 AM for the year no way I was not impressed with their prices in the least bit…

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tom e June 1, 2013

Sams sucks. No better way to put it, whether it be Hendersonville or Asheville. From top management to store management to the buyers to the store clerks.
Costco, which I adore having been a member for 15 years, should locate in the South Asheville/Arden area.
That way they could clean the clocks of both Sams outlets. AVL/HVL area is a good size,prosperous and growing. I can’t fathom how the otherwise astute Costco management has been missing this.
Greenville/Spartanburg have two and AVL/HVL can’t even get one???
Come on, Costco!

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1. Chiliman August 21, 2013
  
  I totally agree!!!
  
  Reply
Ed May 9, 2013

I was talking to an employee at the Spartanburg Costco today and he told me that they own property in Buncombe county. We can only hope they build on it soon if true. Competition, big or small is good for the consumer.

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1. Jason Sandford May 9, 2013
  
  i wonder where the property is…
  
  Reply
  1. weavervilleman May 14, 2013
    
    hope its weaverville.
    
    Reply
NFB January 11, 2013

Asheville is a funny place. We rail against chains and then whine about how we need a:

Trader Joe’s
Costco
Chipolte
Nordstrum

We act like the end of civilization is at hand when a chain moves in downtown while eagerly flocking to:

Doc Chey’s
Mellow Mushroom
Marble Slab

We claim to champion locally own businesses yet when Trader Joe’s dislocates THREE of them we cheer because Trader Joe’s is coming to town.

The cycle continues.

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1. Jacques Levy January 11, 2013
  
  Don’t forget public.
  
  Reply
2. indie January 12, 2013
  
  There isn’t even agreement on what a chain is. Is it any retail business with more than 1 location? If they are both in Asheville it is ok, but otherwise not?
  
  Some of the biggest supporters in town are franchise owners who live here, work here and buy here. How do they compare to a 1 off store that buys product from out of town?
  
  Reply
Joshua Marc Levy January 10, 2013

Sam’s club is Walmart and SHOULD NOT be supported!!! Anyone buying at Sam’s Club is supporting an evil company run by an evil man

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1. Pete January 10, 2013
  
  Don’t tell me where to spend my money. Spend yours anyway you want and let others do the same.
  
  Reply
2. DonnaB March 8, 2015
  
  The Sam’s Club employees are so rude. I think this reflects on how they are treated. Costco employees are wonderful. Costco is a happy place to shop. Even my husband will shop there, which is saying a lot. I so agree with you Joshua.
  
  Reply
HolyHiker January 10, 2013

Three things that will always be rumor: Biltmore Estate golf course, Stephen Speilberg’s million dollar loft apt, CostCo

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1. Eric January 11, 2013
  
  You left out Trader Joe’s…
  
  Hrmmm
  
  Reply
  1. weavervilleman March 4, 2014
    
    You got trader joes in asheville
    
    Reply
ashevillain January 9, 2013

Pretty sure it was Pace, not Costco, that built that building on Fairview Rd. It happened right near the same time that Sam’s Club was being built.

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1. Jason Sandford January 10, 2013
  
  Thanks for this.
  
  Reply
Scott January 9, 2013

I hope Costco comes to Asheville. Sam’s Club has owned this market for far too long. The arrival of Costco would force Sam’s to step up it’s game or lose the game.

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