After nearly a decade of planning, lawsuits and construction, the Capital Region has a Costco. The new 163,000-square-foot warehouse in Guilderland opened Aug. 6, bringing the membership warehouse — and the bulk-buying temptation that comes with it — to the area.
And judging by the crowds, local shoppers were more than ready. People lined up before sunrise on opening day and more than 16,000 people signed up for memberships ahead of the opening. Now shoppers are sharing their Costco favorites — from everyday staples to the things you probably didn’t know you needed until you walked through those giant doors.
Times Union readers, who also happen to be seasoned Costco shoppers, shared their advice on social media about the best bargains and special finds throughout the store.
Meat and seafood
- Prime beef tenderloin, rotisserie chicken, Amylu’s meatballs, canned wild tuna
Dairy and refrigerated
- Kerrygold unsalted butter, Kirkland grass-fed butter, Kirkland parmigiano reggiano, burrata, cheddar cheese chunks, plain Greek yogurt, eggs, milk
Pantry staples
- Avocado-oil mayonnaise, dark-glass bottles of extra virgin olive oil, maple syrup, Better Than Bouillon, almonds, cashews, coffee, frozen fruit for smoothies, frozen vegetables
Snacks and fun stuff
- Grillo’s pickles, SkinnyDipped chocolates, Sanders dark chocolate caramels, Peanut M&M’s, Croissants; all bakery items (the entire bakery received multiple shout-outs in our post); frozen orange chicken, frozen chicken pita sandwiches, fresh produce (including Pineapples, giant artichokes and avocados).
And, of course, taste ALL the samples. One shopper’s advice? You may discover something you didn’t know you liked — or needed.
Household essentials
- Toilet paper, paper towels, Ziploc bags, dishwasher pods, Dr. Bronner’s liquid and bar soap; ECOS Free & Clear detergent — although shoppers say the unscented version may need to be ordered online.
Other Costco perks
Shoppers also mentioned vitamins, Costco’s pharmacy and pet medications and Costco Travel as things worth checking out. Costco Travel offers members deals on hotels, cruises, rental cars and other travel.
Fill up your tank
- The new Guilderland location has a gas station, and cheaper fuel was one of the things that excited local shoppers. On opening day, Costco’s gas was reported at about 40 cents per gallon below the area’s average.
Purchases you didn’t exactly need…