Not one… but TWO new Costco locations are opening in Winnipeg!
The 3 existing Costco locations in Winnipeg are rarely empty. During an event in Winnipeg honouring their CEO, Costco’s parent company, Kirkland, stated that the city was on track to receive a fourth Costco soon. The last five years have brought significant challenges—pandemic disruptions, supply chain issues, and tariffs—but despite that, announcements have now been made for not just a fourth but also a fifth Costco in the Winnipeg region!
Current Costco Locations
- Costco – West Winnipeg (St. James Street)
Address: 1315 St. James St
Opened: October 25, 1990 - Costco – East Winnipeg (Regent Avenue West)
Address: 1499 Regent Ave W
Opened: April 8, 1992 - Costco – South Winnipeg (McGillivray Boulevard)
Address: 2365 McGillivray Blvd
Opened: November 29, 2007
Two New Costco Winnipeg Locations
- Costco – Headingley (Westport development)
A new Costco is currently under construction in Headingley, near the Red River Exhibition grounds and Assiniboia Downs, at 4077 Portage Avenue. This store is slated to open in late 2025. It’s part of a larger mixed-use development called Westport. - Costco – West St. Paul (Meadowland Drive)
Costco is also seeking approval for a new location in the RM of West St. Paul, specifically on Meadowland Drive. Public hearings have been held and the council has voted on variance applications, with positive feedback. This store would be located right on the Perimeter, offering easy access for communities north of the city.
Two new Costco locations, each over 160,000 square feet, are planned for the west and north parts of the city and are expected to be gamechangers. The city itself will have limited say in the development of the North Main location, as it’s just beyond the city limits in the Municipality of West St. Paul. Approvals there are likely to move quickly. However, the province may have something to say regarding urban sprawl or traffic impacts along Main Street. The area around Meadowland and Main could become extremely busy.
There’s little debate that Winnipeg’s three current Costco stores are packed to the rafters. The Kenaston location, in particular, can be a nightmare to visit at almost any time of day. Getting there is no easier, especially for those traveling across the city or coming in from surrounding areas. It’s a stressful experience for many.
It’s clear that residents in the west and north parts of the city will flock to the new locations. This will certainly ease some of the pressure on existing stores. However, demand continues to grow, so shoppers shouldn’t expect empty aisles or leisurely strolls without occasional congestion. The popularity isn’t going away.
The smallest Costco in Winnipeg located at 1315 St. James St is set to close for a few months and will reopen as a Costco Business Center. Expect a promotional push to explain the concept. In short, this version of Costco will cater more to businesses—offering bulk goods suited for restaurants, office managers, and professional settings rather than typical household needs.
By the end of 2026, Winnipeg will have four traditional Costco locations and one Business Center, covering all four quadrants of the city and the central Polo Park area. The new stores will transform retailing in the north and west. Retailers selling gas, offering car repairs, or providing services will have to become more competitive—no more inflated prices on gas in west Portage or north Main. Expect tighter pricing on tires, tune-ups, and similar services.
Local grocery stores will need to stay alert on pricing, and restaurants will likely want to set up near these new Costco sites. The same goes for retailers, including liquor and cannabis stores, which will want the foot traffic. Just look at what Costco did for the Kenaston area. A new Costco on west Portage could very well attract the likes of Moxie’s, Earls, or Joey’s. A development rush is entirely possible.
Hundreds of construction jobs and hundreds more in-store positions will be created. Overall, this is a very positive development for both Winnipeg and West St. Paul. It promises increased competition across the grocery, gas, and general merchandise markets. The Unicity location is expected to open by October 2025, with the second new site arriving in 2026.
This has been a guest editorial by John Dobbin.
To read more from John, visit his blog Observations, Reservations, Conversations.
