For more than 40 years, Costco has been the go-to spot for Canadians looking to stock up on groceries, bulk pantry items, clothes, electronics, and pretty much anything else they can squeeze into their shopping cart.
Although the beloved warehouse giant got its start in Seattle, Wash., it didn’t take long to migrate 217 kilometres north and open its first Canadian location in Burnaby, B.C. in 1985.
Now you can find Costco stores in countries like Japan, the U.K., Australia, and even New Zealand, among many others.
According to the company, there are currently around 115 Costco warehouses across Canada, with more on the way in Alberta and other provinces.
Where can you find the biggest Costco in Canada?
Well, you’ll have to head east for this one. And maybe bring a second shopping cart, because this place is massive.
In 2019, a whopping 190,000-square-foot Costco warehouse opened in Galway, a neighbourhood in St. John’s, N.L., making it the largest Costco in Canada.
According to CBC, which covered the grand opening, Costco’s only warehouse on the island has over 500 workers, 1,000 parking spaces, and a gas station with 24 pumps. Get ready to stock up on giant boxes of Kirkland Signature peanut butter and enough toilet paper to last until next Christmas.
For comparison, the world’s largest Costco is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sprawling 235,000 square feet — roughly the size of four football fields — it’s both a traditional Costco warehouse and a business centre under one roof.
Now, when it comes to the Canadian province with the most Costco locations, do you think you know the answer?
That would be Ontario, with 43 existing warehouses. That number is expected to grow, with new locations planned for communities like Caledon, Oakville, and Wasaga Beach.
Quebec comes in second with 25 locations, followed by Alberta with 20. Meanwhile, Prince Edward Island and Canada’s three territories are currently Costco-less.
There is a new Costco warehouse opening in Winnipeg, Man., on Nov. 13, but it is unclear whether that will be even bigger than the Galway location.
For now, Newfoundlanders can proudly claim bragging rights for having Canada’s biggest Costco… not that anyone needs another reason to make a trip for a $1.50 hot dog or anything.
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