News Summary

Costco Wholesale is set to open its first store in Central Massachusetts at The Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster. The project involves significant changes to the mall, including demolition to accommodate a new standalone Costco building and gas station. Mayor Dean Mazzarella supports the initiative, viewing it as a boost for the local retail economy and enhanced shopping experiences. Hull Property Group, the mall’s owner, is in discussions with Costco, which operates over 600 locations in the U.S., aiming to revitalize the area and attract more shoppers.

Leominster

Costco Wholesale is planning to open its first location in Central Massachusetts at The Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster. Ongoing discussions are taking place between Costco and Hull Property Group, the Atlanta-based owner of the mall regarding the project. The addition of Costco is expected to significantly alter the retail landscape of the area.

Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella has expressed confidence in the project’s success, highlighting the favorable location within Worcester County. He noted that the mall property is considered the “most valuable property” in Leominster due to its strategic positioning near major highways, which is anticipated to support increased traffic from the new store.

The potential project involves demolishing a substantial portion of the northern section of the mall to accommodate the planned Costco and a proposed gas station. Current plans indicate that the existing JCPenney store will remain, but structures previously occupied by Sears and Filene’s will be removed. The new Costco is planned to be a standalone building, measuring approximately 152,000 square feet, distinct from the existing mall. This design is expected to enhance the shopping experience for customers while revitalizing the mall’s utility.

Costco adheres to a policy of not commenting on new locations until three months prior to their opening, which means further details may be announced as the planning process advances. Currently, Costco operates over 600 locations across the United States, with six stores located in eastern Massachusetts, including one in West Springfield.

The Mall at Whitney Field was originally constructed in 1967, making it a historical shopping center for the Leominster community. Hull Property Group purchased the mall property for $16 million in December 2019. This was a significant reduction from the sum of $36 million paid by its previous owner, Colony Capital, in 2013, reflecting ongoing challenges in shopping mall profitability, particularly as consumer habits shift towards online commerce.

Mayor Mazzarella emphasized the city’s support for the Costco proposal, indicating that the attraction of a large retailer like Costco has the potential to benefit the other retailers within the mall and enhance overall shopping opportunities in the area. City officials believe that the presence of Costco is a significant step forward in bolstering retail activity in response to changing shopping patterns.

In addition to the projected increase in foot traffic for the mall, the city has also initiated plans to connect downtown Leominster with the mall, aiming to create a more integrated retail experience. This wider strategy seeks to revitalize retail opportunities within Leominster, allowing local businesses to thrive alongside larger retailers.

As of now, the City of Leominster awaits further developments regarding the discussions between Costco and Hull Property Group. The establishment of Costco in the community could mark a pivotal moment in the retail economy of Central Massachusetts, bringing new job opportunities and enhancing consumer choices in the region.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Telegram: Costco Leominster Talks
• Wikipedia: Costco
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• MassLive: Costco Locations in 2025
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Central Massachusetts
• Boston 25 News: New Costco Store
• Google News: Costco Massachusetts