Costco coming to pocatello (Boise, Nampa: buying, construction, wages)

[nikkas02]

I was just wondering if anyone has heard any info on Costco coming to pocatello. I heard that the company has bought land in pocatello but beyond that i haven't heard anything. So if anyone knows anything I would love to hear it.

[Idaho mom]

I think Costco may be sending a few hints out:

#1 - Costco was supposed to present a plan to the city on 2/21 and they failed to do so. No explanation why! #2 - The article today's Idaho State Journal ran today has got to be the dumbest thing I've ever read. Yep, this certainly means they are coming! I am wondering if they will ever build or if it is all hype. If the CEO won't even confirm it, sounds bad to me.

Id State Journal 2/26/08:
Costco ad hints at Pocatello operation

BY JOURNAL STAFF
POCATELLO — Another sign that Costco Wholesale may be opening a retail operation in the Gate City is an advertisement on the job search Web site, www. careerbuilder.com.
According to the site, Costco is looking for a senior hearing aid specialist, a position that requires a state license. The job opening specifies Pocatello under the location heading.
Jim Sinegal, president and CEO of Costco Wholesale, would not confirm that Costco is seeking any employees for the Pocatello area or that it plans to build in Pocatello.
“I don’t think (the job) is for Pocatello,” Sinegal said. “It would be pretty early for that. It’s possible we are trying to do something for another Idaho location, or even for Spokane, (Wash.).”
A search of Career Builders’ site, however, did not turn up a listing for the position anywhere else in Idaho or in Spokane. The Pocatello listing is one week old.

[twinprism]

Not many know for sure...

Costco is not required to present their plan to the city unless they need zoning variations, but some local people assumed that they would at the last council meeting because a company spokeperson mentioned the possibility.

The journal article is really grasping at straws because they incorrectly reported the inconclusive evidence for th 2/21 presentation and people were asking.

I guess we'll have to wait and see. Cosco has been known to buy land and hold it for while and decide not to come. I'm hoping for an announcement and wonder what really is going on behind the scenes.

[twinprism]

The journal article grasping at straws, but there is still a job listed for Costco in Pocatello so they did find some information.

The job listing is still up on Find Jobs - Senior Hearing Aid Specialist (State License Required) Jobs in Pocatello, ID

If it was a mistake that was brought to the company's attention, don't you think it might be fixed? I still think Costco in Pocatello is going to happen, just don't know when.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by twinprism

The journal article grasping at straws, but there is still a job listed for Costco in Pocatello so they did find some information.

The job listing is still up on Find Jobs - Senior Hearing Aid Specialist (State License Required) Jobs in Pocatello, ID

If it was a mistake that was brought to the company's attention, don't you think it might be fixed? I still think Costco in Pocatello is going to happen, just don't know when.

I think your remarks are right on, twin prism. Costco does buy land in various areas and may or may not build stores.

The way it was explained to me, was after the UT stores were built, they would next move on to eastern ID. Pocatello and Idaho Falls. Just because one is in Pocatello doesn't mean one won't be built in Idaho Falls.

I read some of the posts in the Idaho State Journal. Is that editor a stock holder or something?

Twin prism, I think your end sentence says it all, for any location. We just don't know when.

[twinprism]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

I think your remarks are right on, twin prism. Costco does buy land in various areas and may or may not build stores.

The way it was explained to me, was after the UT stores were built, they would next move on to eastern ID. Pocatello and Idaho Falls. Just because one is in Pocatello doesn't mean one won't be built in Idaho Falls.

I read some of the posts in the Idaho State Journal. Is that editor a stock holder or something?

Lol, I wondered that myself. It could be the ISJ editor is buying into some optimism in Pocatello due to Costco's probable decision to locate here. It would be very positive news for the local community, some members of which have a bit of inferiority complex. As I'm sure you know, Pocatello is a bit "geographically challenged" and often plays second fiddle to Idaho Falls when it comes to retail stores in Eastern Idaho. Pocatello is located between Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Logan Utah limiting the population base we draw customers from. I like Pocatello for other reasons and retail is not that important to me, but it is important to some.

Costco did present plans to the city of Pocatello to check for code violations this week. It could be that Costco seems to be moving ahead with the Pocatello store first because of the lack of competition here. (no Target, Sams' club, only one Walmart).

There has been talk of adding a Pocatello Walmart location, and if Costco prevents that I will be grateful. I much prefer Costco's reputation on how they treat their employees and it may force other businesses to raise wages, though I worry some about some of our unique local shops that make Pocatello interesting.

[Torrie]

This just showed up on the news:

Costco plans new Idaho store | KTVB.COM | Idaho News

[quenton]

Good catch for Pocatello, I've been a member of Costco and Sam's in Boise and Nampa and loved Costco, loathed Sam's Club.

[iluvpoky]

Sounds like a Pocatello Costco could be opening as early as this fall. The city has received payment for Costco's building permits for its store and fueling station. This gives Costco license to start construction any day now.

LocalNews8.com Idaho Falls, Pocatello - Weather, News, Sports - Costco Check In, Let the Building Begin

[twinprism]

Construction is under way and there is a sign up on the property.