Costco Opens Its First Warehouse

Setting the scene

Sol Price's Price Club warehouse model in San Diego proved executives would pay membership fees for bulk goods; James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman adapted the concept as Costco in Seattle, merging later with Price Club DNA.

What happened

The first Costco warehouse opened in 1983 in Seattle's SoDo district, selling pallets of merchandise to small businesses and households willing to pay annual membership.

Why it still matters

Sample stations and bulk carts followed as Costco expanded to Iceland, Japan, and Australia; its Kirkland Signature brand and $1.50 hot-dog combo became cult symbols of middle-class thrift without Walmart's rural focus.

Background

Sample stations and bulk carts followed.