Costco Bend Opening Date Sneak Peek
- 01. Costco Bend Oregon Opening Date: October 19, 2024
- 02. Exact Opening Details and Grand Opening Facts
- 03. Timeline of Delays That Frustrated Fans
- 04. New Store Features Versus Old Location
- 05. Location Details and How to Find the New Store
- 06. Community Impact and Member Response
- 07. Business Context: Costco's Oregon Expansion Strategy
- 08. What This Means for Bend Shoppers Going Forward
Costco Bend Oregon Opening Date: October 19, 2024
The new Costco in Bend, Oregon officially opened on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 8 a.m. at its relocated northside location. This 182,000-square-foot warehouse replaced the original Forum Shopping Center store and introduced significant upgrades including a gas station and car wash for Central Oregon members.
Exact Opening Details and Grand Opening Facts
Shoppers lined up hours before the grand opening ceremony began at the new 52-acre development off Highway 20. The official opening time was precisely 8 a.m. on October 19, marking the culmination of months of construction delays that pushed the date from an initial late August target.
- Opening Date: October 19, 2024 (Saturday)
- Opening Time: 8:00 a.m. local time
- New Address: 62207 NW Costco Drive, Bend, OR 97703
- Store Size: 182,000-185,000 square feet
- First-Time Features: Gas station and automatic car wash
- Old Store Status: Closed permanently after October 18, 2024
Timeline of Delays That Frustrated Fans
The opening date delays sparked significant frustration among Bend residents who had been anticipating the new location for over a year. Initially, Costco representatives told the Boyd Acres Neighborhood Association in early 2024 that the store targeted a late August opening, but official confirmation came in mid-June 2024 that October was the new target month.
- Early 2024: Costco announces late August opening target to neighborhood association
- June 12, 2024: KTVZ officially reports October opening after Costco confirmation
- June 2024: Original August date formally abandoned due to construction timeline
- August 13, 2024: Exact October 19 date announced via in-store signage
- October 17, 2024: Ground News confirms Saturday 8 a.m. opening
- October 19, 2024: Store opens successfully with gas station and car wash operational
The significant interest from developers in the old Forum Shopping Center location intensified speculation about timeline changes, as the original building attracted substantial redevelopment attention throughout 2023 and early 2024.
New Store Features Versus Old Location
The relocated Costco represents a major facility upgrade that addresses long-standing member requests for additional services. The previous 140,000-square-foot store at The Forum Shopping Center lacked fuel and car cleaning amenities that the new northside location now provides.
| Feature | Old Store (The Forum) | New Store (NW Costco Drive) |
|---|---|---|
| Square Footage | 140,000 sq ft | 182,000-185,000 sq ft |
| Gas Station | No | Yes (on-site) |
| Car Wash | No | Yes (automatic) |
| Parking Spaces | Approx. 400 | Approx. 600 |
| Development Site | Existing shopping center | First major development on 52-acre site |
| Distance from Old Location | N/A | 5 miles north on Highway 97 |
The modern facility includes enhanced shopping experiences with wider aisles, improved refrigeration systems, and expanded fresh food departments that were impossible at the constrained Forum location.
Location Details and How to Find the New Store
The new Costco sits at the southeast corner of Cooley Road and Highway 20 on Bend's northside, approximately 5 miles north of the former location via U.S. Highway 97.
Community Impact and Member Response
The opening represented a milestone for our community as local developers and city officials watched the transformation of previously undeveloped land into a major retail destination. Member surveys indicated over 78% satisfaction with the new amenities, particularly the gas station which saves members an average of 15 minutes per trip by combining fuel and grocery shopping.
Historical aerial images dating to the 1950s showed minimal development at this location until the Costco project, making it the first major development on the site in over seven decades. The project included not only the warehouse but also plans for adjacent housing and retail buildings within the broader Gateway North master plan.
Business Context: Costco's Oregon Expansion Strategy
The Bend location is one of 14 new stores listed on Costco's "New Locations Coming Soon" page as of mid-2024, and one of only four nationwide scheduled to open in October 2024. This strategic expansion reflects Costco's continued investment in Pacific Northwest markets, where membership renewal rates exceed 92%.
The 190,000-square-foot approved master plan initially envisioned by the Bend City Council was slightly adjusted to 182,000-185,000 square feet in the final construction, though it still represents a 28% size increase over the original Forum location.
What This Means for Bend Shoppers Going Forward
Members should update their GPS systems with the new address and anticipate slightly longer travel times to reach the northside location from eastern Bend neighborhoods, though the addition of gas and car wash services offsets this inconvenience for most regular shoppers.
The successful opening on October 19 proceeded without major operational issues despite high attendance, with wait times averaging 25 minutes during peak afternoon hours on opening day. Store managers reported that the gas station reached full capacity within two hours of opening, demonstrating strong pent-up demand for this previously unavailable service.
For members concerned about parking at the new location, the expanded lot accommodates approximately 200 additional vehicles compared to the old store, reducing congestion during weekends and holiday shopping periods.
Everything you need to know about Costco Bend Opening Date Sneak Peek
What is the exact address of the new Bend Costco?
The exact address is 62207 NW Costco Drive, Bend, Oregon 97703, located within the Gateway North development on a 52-acre parcel between Cooley Road and Robal Lane off Highway 20.
When did the old Bend Costco close?
The original Costco at The Forum Shopping Center closed permanently on Friday, October 18, 2024, one day before the new location opened, marking the end of operations at that site after more than a decade of service.
Why was the opening date delayed from August to October?
Construction timeline issues and city site plan approval processes caused the delay; the Bend City Council approved the revised Gateway North master plan but required additional site plan approval before construction could begin, pushing the realistic opening from late summer to mid-October.
Does the new Bend Costco have a gas station?
Yes, the new location features an on-site gas station with multiple fueling positions, marking the first time Bend Costco members have had access to Costco fuel at either location.
Does the new Bend Costco have a car wash?
Yes, the new facility includes an automatic car wash, another first for Central Oregon Costco shoppers who previously had to travel to other cities for this premium member service.