Costco picks Smithfield for its first Rhode Island warehouse
Costco has chosen Smithfield for its first Rhode Island warehouse, The Hill and WJAR reported. Helena Foulkes, a Costco board member running for governor, shared the news. The store is expected to open in 2028 and still needs town approval, WJAR reported.
Costco has chosen Smithfield for its first warehouse in Rhode Island, according to The Hill and WJAR.
Helena Foulkes, a Democratic candidate for governor who sits on Costco's board, shared the news Thursday, The Hill and WJAR reported. The Hill said she confirmed it to Nexstar's WPRI. WJAR said she announced the choice.
The store is expected to open in 2028, The Hill and WJAR reported. The Hill said Smithfield is just outside Providence. WJAR said the planned site is where Routes 116 and 7 meet.
Foulkes said the store could bring more than 200 jobs, WJAR reported. An earlier effort to bring Costco to Cranston fell through, WJAR said.
The project still needs town review, WJAR reported. "They'll have to get a traffic study, DEM permits, go through our planning board and meet all those requirements," said Angelica Bovis, vice president of the Smithfield Town Council, according to WJAR. A formal application and town approvals are still ahead, WJAR reported. No timeline for building has been announced.
The store would spare Rhode Islanders the drive to Massachusetts to use their Costco membership, The Hill reported. A store in Sharon, Massachusetts, about 24 miles from Providence, opened last year, WJAR said. Michael Roberto, a management professor at Bryant University, said Costco may want to serve shoppers who now travel to Massachusetts and Connecticut, according to WJAR. He said a new store could also ease crowds at existing ones.
Rhode Island was one of the last states without a Costco, The Hill reported. As of October, only West Virginia and Wyoming are still waiting for their first one, The Hill said.
In March, CEO Ron Vachris said Costco aims to open 30 or more warehouses a year over the next five to 10 years, The Hill reported. About half would be in the US. Costco expects to open 33 new warehouses in fiscal year 2027, five of them relocations, The Hill said.
What we know: Costco has chosen Smithfield for a Rhode Island store, with an opening targeted for 2028.
What we don't: When building will start and whether the town will approve the plan.
Where outlets agree The Hill and WJAR report that Costco chose Smithfield for its first Rhode Island warehouse, that Helena Foulkes shared the news Thursday and that the store is expected to open in 2028.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.