COSTCO is set to replace a shuttered Bed Bath & Beyond store with a unique new service.
The mega retailer will open a stand-alone gas station – but it won’t feature its famous $1.50 hot dogs or TVs.
Costco is planning to open a stand-alone gas station in Mission Viejo, California[/caption]
But it won’t sell any of its famous $1.50 hot dog deals[/caption]
The wholesale club is set to construct its first 40-bay fuel station in Mission Viejo, a coastal city in Orange County which is located outside of Los Angeles in California, reported USA Today.
It said, “Costco’s upcoming location in California won’t have its famous $1.50 hot dog, rotisserie chicken, or even a warehouse to browse ‒ just a few dozen gas pumps.”
Costco‘s first stand-alone gas station is expected to open in spring 2026.
And it will only be available to Costco members.
Orange County’s Planning and Transportation Commission approved the retailer’s plans back in March.
Building is expected to start this fall.
Costco has recently extended its members-only gas station hours until 10 pm across the U.S., with some sites also opening earlier in the day.
Planning documents considered by the commission show the project will involve the demolition of a shuttered Bed Bath & Beyond store.
As an added bonus, the fuel station will be built some two miles from a Costco warehouse, reported CBS-affiliated WLNS.
The Orange-County Register noted that “for a retail chain that makes changes in baby steps, it’s a relatively large leap for Costco.”
It cited local officials as saying it will be the chain’s largest gas station and its first fuel-only location.
However, there are already many Costco outlets selling fuel under the chain’s Kirkland brand, said the Register.
NO RETAIL
Plus, the retailer currently sells gas at its warehouse two miles from the planned site at the Mission Viejo Freeway Center, at 25732 El Paseo.
“However, Mission Viejo documents show that Costco’s new location will be a 40-pump facility – gasoline only, with no retail space or convenience store,” it added.
The Register said it had reached out to the retailer for more details, such as why it has chosen that specific location, although “selling fuel near one of the nation’s busiest freeways may seem like a no-brainer.”
But, “sadly, the merchant doesn’t comment on store development plans,” it explained.
The U.S. Sun has also contacted Costco for information.
Costco to open its first stand-alone gas station
The wholesale club’s plans have been approved to build a stand-alone 40-bay gas station in Mission Viejo, California
Orange County city officials said it is the chain’s largest gas station and its first fuel-only location.
Costco’s new location will only offer gasoline, with no retail space or convenience store.
It will just serve Costco members.
The station will be built at a shopping center off the 5 freeway between La Paz Road and Oso Parkway.
The plan includes demolishing a shuttered Bed, Bath & Beyond store.
Construction is set to kick off in fall, and the station is expected to open in Spring 2026.
Source: The Orange County Register
Business Insider said on Monday that it wasn’t surprising the retailer was branching out into stand-alone gas stations.
That’s because “gas is big business for Costco” with sales soaring to about $30 billion, according to its annual report, said BI.
NO HOT DOGS
News of the new location has been celebrated by some Costco members on Reddit, with one pleading, “Please open more and include the food court so I can get a hot dog while I gas up.”
The Costco hot dog is a treasured menu staple – its hot dog and soda meal deal has remained at the same $1.50 price since 1984.
One Mission Viejo resident said it was a “great location” which would boost capacity.
They added, “Every Costco I see with a gas station is creating traffic issues in the surrounding area because they don’t have room for their customers.
“The 40 pump station in this location has the capacity to keep lines shorter.”
EV MANDATE
The revelation comes amid Donald Trump’s overturning of California’s electric vehicle mandate.
California’s rule had set standards requiring 22% of new vehicles sold in the state to be “zero emission” in model year 2025.
The president Donald Trump this month signed three resolutions approved by lawmakers barring California’s EV sales mandates and diesel engine rules, including its landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035.
“We officially rescue the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating the California electric vehicle mandate once and for all,” he said.
LAWSUIT
But, last Thursday, a group of 11 states led by California filed a lawsuit challenging that repeal.
California Governor Gavin Newsom raged about Trump’s move, saying, “Trump’s all-out assault on California continues.
“And this time he’s destroying our clean air and America’s global competitiveness in the process.”
A former Bed Bath & Beyond store will be demolished to make way for Costco’s 40 fuel pump[/caption]
The station won’t have a retail provision – thus there’ll be no TVs[/caption]
