I went to the Grand Opening of COSTCO this morning, and it was organized like military precision - perfectly, and we ended up walking in at 7:30!
Costco is not a store. I couldn't help myself; I went today! Itās a high stakes casino where your chips are made of Kirkland brand dreams and you lose big every single time. I walked in for eggs and milk, walked out with a hot tub, a 20lb bag of Colombian coffee, a chainsaw, and a cruise to a tropical island that doesnāt even exist on Google Maps. I blacked out somewhere between the rotisserie chicken and the giant teddy bears. Next thing I knew, I was financing a pizza oven and emotionally attached to a 4 pack of mayonnaise. And donāt act like this is just me. If youāve ever left Costco spending less than $400, I want your name, your secrets, and probably a drug test. Youāre a unicorn. The rest of us are in the parking lot questioning our life choices with 32 AA batteries and enough beef jerky to supply a bunker. Everyone there is suspiciously happy. Too happy. You ever notice that? These employees are glowing. Itās like Costco is hiding a motivational speaker in the breakroom pumping them full of affirmations and essential oils. Tina rings you up with a smile that says āIāve been here since 1984ā but she looks like sheās barely 30. WHAT ARE THEY FEEDING TINA? This woman has been thriving in fluorescent lighting and frozen aisles longer than Iāve been paying taxes. Then thereās the exit security, and donāt even lie, theyāve got tighter operations than the White House. I just bought $947 of legally scanned merchandise but Larry wants to match each item to my receipt like Iām trying to smuggle out a pallet of illegal Cheez-Its. Sir. Tina just watched me pay. Why is this now an episode of Narcos: Bulk Edition? And letās not forget the $1.50 hot dog combo. How in the name of common sense can you feed me a hot dog the size of a baguette and a drink with unlimited refills⦠for $1.50?! Where are these cows being raised? Wakanda? Mars? Are they even cows?! At this point Iām not eating lunch, Iām participating in a culinary conspiracy. Bottom line? Costco is a vortex of financial destruction wrapped in happiness and hot dog juice. Itās cheaper to not go to Costco. Itās safer to stay home. But will I go back next week for laundry detergent and accidentally adopt a 12-person tent? Yes. Absolutely! Happy shopping, today, Chicks, on the day that everyone has been waiting for!! Now just give us a...
Ā Ā Ā Read moreStuart Costco Is Hereāand It Changes Everything.
As someone who moved to Palm City five years ago, one of my biggest hesitations was the distance to Costco. Iām not exaggerating when I say that my shopping and fueling schedule became an algorithmācarefully timed pit stops at Palm Beach Gardens Costco to justify the 45-minute round trip. Gas. Groceries. That $1.50 hot dog and soda combo that defies inflation like a stubborn legend. You either planned it with precision⦠or you missed out.
Now? Costco has landed in Stuartāon Kanner Highwayāand I feel like Iāve won the lottery.
This is a seismic shift for the Treasure Coast. Iām now THREE minutes from the warehouse, and itās already impacting my daily life. Need to top off the tank? Done. Dinner for the family? Done. Free samples, tires, wine, dog food, and diamond rings? Done, done, done, and surprisingly done.
Letās talk savingsābecause thatās what separates Costco from the pack:
Costco gas isnāt just cheaper, often by 80 cents to over $1/gallonāitās a higher-quality Top Tier certified fuel that contains detergent additives designed to protect your engine. Itās not ādiscountā gas; itās smart gas.
And hereās a tip for fellow Costco nerds: If the price tag ends in .97, itās a markdown. If it ends in .88 or .00, itās managerās special clearanceāeither discontinued or a one-off deal. If you see an asterisk (*) in the upper right-hand corner, that product is going awayāforever. Thatās your moment. Stock up. Donāt hesitate. That asterisk means Costcoās already halfway through its farewell.
Costco isnāt just a storeāitās a coded experience, a culture of value and consistency. I remember back when it was still Price Club. My dad and I had a standing Saturday ritualāwarehouse wandering, loading bulk pretzels into the trunk, and making sure we never left without a churro and a soda. Walking into this new Stuart location brought that all rushing back.
This opening isnāt just a convenienceāitās a lifestyle upgrade for the entire region. For families, retirees, young professionals, and fellow Kirkland disciples: welcome to your new HQ.
If youāre in Stuart, Palm City, Port Salerno, or anywhere on the Treasure Coastāthis Costco will become part of your rhythm. Just donāt tell too many people⦠I like short lines at the food court š
Welcome home, Costco....
Ā Ā Ā Read moreOn Saturday, June 7th, 2025, I visited the Costco location in Stuart, Florida, with my 83-year-old father, a Vietnam War veteran with multiple health conditions. Weāve been Costco members since 2002. That day, we spent $693 in-store and then ordered food from the food court (a Chicken Bake and two hot dogs with drinks).
While my daughter and father were eating, I stepped away to use the restroom. When I returned, a man who identified himself as the manager (named Joseph or John, short and dark-skinned) approached me in an extremely rude and aggressive manner. He demanded that we leave the store immediately.
I calmly explained that my father was still chewing and needed more time due to his age and medical conditions. However, the manager showed zero empathy and continued to insist we leave, raising his voice and treating us with disrespect in front of other customers and staff.
We were forced to quickly gather our things and leave. To make things worse, the same manager followed us all the way to our vehicle, demanding to see our receipt. After being treated so poorly, I refused. The entire experience was humiliating and completely unnecessary.
I understand that stores must follow schedules, but if the food court closes at a certain time, they should stop selling food earlier ā not rush out customers who are still eating what they just purchased.
This was a complete lack of professionalism, empathy, and customer care ā especially towards an elderly veteran. I hope Costco addresses this serious issue and offers a formal apology. I left very...
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