The first Costco warehouse opened in Seattle, Washington, on September 15, 1983, at 4th Avenue South in the city's Industrial District (now part of the SODO neighborhood).

This location pioneered the membership-based bulk retail model for small businesses, later expanding to consumers, and remarkably, it remains operational today as the oldest Costco in the US.

Opening Details

Costco was founded by Jim Sinegal, a former Price Club executive, and Jeffrey Brotman, who drew inspiration from Sol Price's earlier Price Club (opened 1976 in San Diego). The initial warehouse stocked about 4,000 items—like food, appliances, tires, and sundries—at just 8-9% above wholesale, with no advertising and a modest membership fee. It quickly scaled, hitting $3 billion in sales within six years and sparking rapid growth (Portland in October 1983, Spokane by December).

Fun Historical Tidbits

  • Business-first roots : Targeted restaurants and gas stations initially; consumer access came later, with the iconic $1.50 hot dog combo debuting in 1985.
  • Merger milestone : In 1993, Costco joined forces with Price Club, forming today's powerhouse (now over 800+ global locations).
  • Nostalgic vibes : Vintage photos show a no-frills setup—piles of bulk goods, concrete floors, and windsurfing displays that still echo modern stores.

Trending Forum Chatter

Reddit threads light up with memories: Users in r/Costco and r/TheWayWeWere recall the "warehouse purity" of early stores—no clothes or food courts, just essentials—while Xennials proudly tie it to '80s childhood trips. Recent posts (as of early 2025) celebrate its staying power amid DEI debates, with folks hooked on "fun facts" series.

Legacy Snapshot

Aspect| Then (1983)| Now (2026)
---|---|---
Target| Small businesses only 19| 100M+ members worldwide 9
Items| ~4,000 SKUs 1| 8,000+ per store 9
HQ Moves| Seattle warehouse 9| Issaquah, WA since 1996 1
Sales Pace| $70M first year 3| $250B+ annually 9

"Costco traces its roots to Price Club... but the first warehouse with the name Costco opened in Seattle in 1983."

TL;DR : Seattle's 4th Ave S spot kicked off Costco's empire—still buzzing after 42+ years.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.