There’s been debate about which set of customers is most anticipating the opening of Costco Wholesale in Southwest Jacksonville — those in that part of town looking forward to having one closer to home or those living nearer the always-crowded Costco near St. Johns Town Center hoping to find a parking space more easily.
The debate might be solved when the new store opens in a little more than two weeks. Costco Wholesale Corp. reports on its website it will open Feb. 8 at 7935 Parramore Road, at Collins Road and Interstate 295.
Issaquah, Washington-based Costco opened its first Jacksonville location 23 miles away, near St. Johns Town Center on the Southside, in 2000.
The city approved construction permits in July for T.D. Farrell Construction Inc. to build the Parramore Road Costco.
Permits were approved for the $11.7 million, 154,568-square-foot wholesale warehouse and a $914,458 fuel station with eight double-sided islands for 16 automobile positions and a canopy. The construction costs total $12.6 million.
Costco bought the almost 16-acre site in June for $3.44 million, but had applied for the permits the previous August.
The deal followed years of negotiations among Costco, Harmony Farms, the city and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
A city ordinance called for Costco to build Parramore Road to connect Collins Road and Youngerman Circle.
Costco Wholesale operates 746 warehouses, including 518 in the United States.