Costco is now open for business in Mt. Juliet and the wholesale grocery store is expected to anchor a new business area near Golden Bear Gateway.
For years Mt. Juliet residents have been wanting a Costco and on June 6 at 8 a.m. this 160,000 square feet business on Legacy Pointe Blvd. opened its doors for thousands of eager shoppers.
Prior to the doors opening hundreds of shoppers with their carts wrapped around the building. Carrie Lynn from Hermitage was first in line.
“I got here at 1 a.m.,” she said. “I really wanted the privilege of saying I was here first. I can’t wait to get inside.”
Tammy Scruggs from Lebanon was the second shopper in line, arriving at 6:15 a.m. She said she was the first shopper in line at the opening of wholesale grocery BJ’s about six months ago in south Mt. Juliet.
“(Costco is) a hop, skip and jump from my home on South Hartman,” Scruggs said. “I love to buy in bulk and I’ve had cabinets made in my garage to store all the food and accessories I buy.”
The first items in her cart will be peanut butter, jelly and fabric softener, she said.
Scruggs, along with many other shoppers that day, were focused on purchasing the On Cloud tennis shoes. Costco did not disappoint with a huge section devoted to those. Beach chairs were also a popular item to buy.
Mt. Juliet officials, Costco management and Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Hinesley gathered for the 8 a.m. ribbon cutting. The crowd chanted “Costco, Costco” as the ribbon was cut.
“Thank you to the builders, staff, and all the behind-the-scenes people to make this happen,” Hinesley said. “Our number one request is finally here; this could not have happened without the years of requests from citizens, the city staff and everyone. Tell your friends and family the doors are open. Thank you for everything and making this happen. Costco is open for business.”
Costco General Manager Chad Rogers told Main Street Media the crowd was overwhelming.
“We are ecstatic to open the doors,” he said. “We can’t wait to show our shoppers what Costco is all about.”
Inside among the hundreds of shoppers about 30 minutes after the ribbon cutting, Hinesley described the store’s impact. He estimated there were about 1,000 shoppers at that time.
“This is the day we turn the corner on sales tax revenue for the city,” he said. “This is a dream for the city. Costco could have built anywhere, but they chose Mt. Juliet. The residents who live here can stay here and shop Costco rather than going out of the county. And save time. This is overwhelming.”
Journey to store opening
Mt. Juliet City Manager Kenny Martin said Mt. Juliet citizens have been asking city officials to recruit a Costco for nearly two decades.
“I’m most excited to have them join our business family/community here in Mt. Juliet,” he said. “We strive to bring all the businesses our citizens desire to Mt. Juliet, and we will continue to do so going forward. It’s not easy to get a business interested in your community. It takes lots of teamwork between the citizens, elected body, developers and staff and Mt. Juliet is perfectly positioned to recruit and add many of the businesses our citizens desire and deserve. Recruiting a new business the size of Costco takes patience and building of a community over time.”
Martin said some factors that attract businesses to a community like Mt. Juliet include local economy, per-capita income, population, education and low crime rates.
“We started recruiting Costco about 15 years ago and realized we still had work to do to meet the requirements needed for a store the size of Costco to join our business community/family,” he said.
“I wish to thank those who understand the importance of shopping local and supporting your local businesses first. Our businesses are a blessing and provide convenient shopping opportunities for our citizens and neighbors. They also serve as economic engines for the community and provide much needed revenue generated by sales tax that helps support and provide essential city services like police, fire, EMS, public works, animal control and care and parks.”
Some other development projects expected in the area include multifamily homes, restaurants, a hotel and entertainment venues.
Approximately 2,000 memberships had been purchased by the time the warehouse opened, and store officials say hundreds signed up on June 6.
On the day Costco opened, Patricia Larsen of Hermitage said the Mt. Juliet one is the biggest she’s ever seen, and she said she has shopped at several of them.
“I’m so glad I don’t have to drive to Nashville to get my Costco fix,” she said. “I so excited to see all the new stuff and I’ll have to limit myself to once a month.”
Lisa Smith and Michelle Angle, both of Mt. Juliet, were about 100th in line to get into the store on its first day. They said they did not know each other until June 6 but quickly made friends on their mission to explore the huge warehouse. They said they both also belong to wholesale grocery BJ’s in Mt. Juliet. They said the two groceries don’t compete but complement each other.
“Costco has better value and more wholesome foods, but BJ’s has a lot of specials and unique selections,” said Smith.
Angle said she was looking to buy fresh fruit and an overnight oats product called Mush.
Mt. Juliet resident Kathy Hall had a short list to fill.
“Costco has a great selection for my Mediterranean diet,” she said while perusing the fish selection. “I know I’ll be back for more when the crowd thins.”
Jonathan Haddock from Smyrna was the third customer in line. He held a small square brick of real silver (Costco sells that also) and he said he paid $330.
“I didn’t come here looking for this, but here it is. I was fascinated,” he said.
Throughout the day customers seemed mesmerized by the magnitude of offerings that included bulk groceries, clothing, furniture, huge mirrors, toys and kayaks.
“It’s huge, huge milestone day,” said Maness.
MT. JULIET COSTCO
Location: 100 Legacy Pointe Blvd. (off Golden Bear Gateway)
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Phone: (615) 583-4480
Timeline: Approximately nine months (broke ground in October 2023 and opened June 6, 2024)
Size: 160,000 square feet for main retail section; 35,000 square feet for attached MDO facilitating in-house delivery services. Site is approximately 19 acres.
For sale: Food court featuring hot dogs; tire service center; optical and hearing aids department; bakery, deli, fruit, produce, rotisserie chicken.
Fuel station: Twelve two-sided pumps, for members use only
Membership: Annual memberships for $60 and $120
