photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

The parking lot of the Costco in Lawrence Kansas seen from above on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Before the sun was fully up Thursday, many Lawrence shoppers were already lining up outside the new Costco for a chance to buy in bulk and enough samples to turn a quick grocery run into a morning outing.

Hundreds of customers — many of them calling out of work for Costco’s opening — steered their oversized carts through wide aisles lined with merchandise in the new 166,000-squarefoot warehouse, located at 6200 Mercato Dr. For many, Costco coming to Lawrence was a long time coming.

“It’s finally here after more than 20 years of begging,” Rae Evans, a Lawrence resident, said, adding that the commute to the nearest Costco in the Kansas City area originally limited how often she was able to shop there.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

The parking lot of the Costco in Lawrence Kansas seen from above on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Previously, Lawrence residents had to drive approximately 38 miles east to Lenexa or 42 miles southeast to Overland Park to shop at Costco. Now with the close proximity, residents said they anticipate their Costco trips to become a lot more frequent.

“There’s a few things that I get in bulk that I used to (get) … if I happen to be in Kansas City,” Evans said. “And now, it’s like, just treat it like a grocery store like I did when I lived in Kansas City.”

Kayla Campillo, general manager of Costco, said the store’s opening is going to attract more people from outside of city limits and encourage them to shop at other stores in Lawrence too. She estimated the store could potentially attract up to 4,000 customers each day.

Customers were also excited about the benefits of Lawrence’s Costco and what it could mean for the local economy.

“I think it’s going to bring a lot of commerce because now there’s one here,” John Buttimer said, another Lawrence resident, said. “(People) don’t have to go out of town. They can come here and shop, so all the money that was going out there can now stay here with taxes and everything else.”

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Customers shop play games and try samples in Costco on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

There certainly were people from outside of Lawrence who attended Thursday’s Costco opening.

“I’ve just been a fan of Costco since I was a kid, so it’s so nostalgic for me,” Katie Danon, a Topeka resident, said.

The Lawrence warehouse has 225 employees, and it is the fourth Costco location in the state, 651st in the United States and 944th worldwide.

Campillo said while the new store will bring more jobs and business to the area, it will offer more convenient and affordable options to the community. The Costco features a variety of specialty departments, including a gas station, bakery, meat, produce, deli, optical department, pharmacy, tire center, hearing aid center, food court and beer.

“This is a beautiful store,” Lori Arnold, another Lawrence resident, said. “And people are so friendly this morning … I just love the quality of their items too.”

Costco also features a line of quality products under its own Kirkland signature private label, which offers housewares, luggage, pet food, bedding, wipes, infant formula, apparel among other products. Bannon said previously, her family would travel out of town to a Costco to pick up the Kirkland brand of cat food.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

The sign of the new Costco in Lawrence Kansas on opening day, Thursday, October 29, 2026.

“Our cat will only eat a certain kind of cat food from here,” Danon said.

Campillo said the strong turnout from shoppers and support from local leaders made opening day especially exciting.

“Lawrence is such a great community,” Campillo said. “We’re happy to be here and just seeing the overwhelming amount of support from the community, city officials, the mayor, everyone coming out and supporting us, and then, in addition to that, everybody waiting outside. That was great.”

Costco’s warehouse hours include 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The arrival of Costco has also sparked excitement among shoppers who see the retailer’s presence as a sign of Lawrence’s growth.

“You’re not on the map until you have a Costco,” Shelby Buttimer, a Lawrence resident, said.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Cashiers wait to check out customers at Costco early Thursday morning, October 29, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Costco employees speak with customers in the frozen food section at Costco on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Christopher Dino poses in a Costco executive member shirt at Costco on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Customers try samples at Costco on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Samples on display at Costco on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Nakia Mccloud participates in a knife set demonstration at Costco on Thursday, October 29, 2026.