Costco plans abandoned
City looking for other retailers to bolster tax base
Costco will not be opening in Auburn on Nevada Street as city officials had hoped. But the city plans to attract other major retailers to bolster Auburn’s tax base, especially now that department store Gottschalks plans to close. “There was never a contract settled with Costco with the city of Auburn, so it never moved forward with the city,” said Will Wong, community development director. The contract with the property owner and Costco had expired, officials said. “It’s always hard to attract new companies because they all have their own formula and mapping of when they are going to come because they are not going to come until they are ready … sometimes towns will never attract certain companies like Costco,” Wong said. “But we (Auburn) are a good location and the next stepping stone to Rocklin and Roseville … If it wasn’t for this recession we would be moving forward a lot quicker.” Still, ongoing plans by city officials continue to develop in an effort to recruit new stores to Auburn. City officials are hopeful that the 40,000-square-foot building space currently occupied by Gottschalks in the Auburn Town Square will be replaced by the end of the year with either one or multiple new full-service retail stores. Gottschalks announced it was going out of business at the end of March. “I have been in contact with different companies and they (Auburn Town Square) feel that they will be able to replace it with one or two outlets,” Wong said. Wong said he cannot comment on tenants in the running to replace the building. “Now I’m just waiting to see who they decide as to who is the best tenant to fit the square footage,” Wong said. “I am confident that it could be decided fairly soon.” The decision of who will be replacing the building space will be conducted privately between the retail tenant and the lease dealer, officials said. “I’m very hopeful that it will be in operation by the end of the year,” said Mayor Mike Holmes on the timeline for replacing the tennant. Holmes stated that the city is searching for additional retail stores and will include new stores in Downtown Auburn and on Industrial Park at the airport. “We have a group working in several different areas to recruit new stores,” said Holmes. “We are obviously trying to fill any vacant spaces – but with the economy it is difficult. “Between the chamber and the city we get inquiries for replacements all the time – we will continue our effort to replace vacant spots – we would like to have local shops come out because we want people to shop locally and not travel down the hill to the Galleria or other places,” Holmes said. Some residents are upset to hear that Costco will not be coming to Auburn, and are curious to see what new retail stores will replace vacant stores and how they will be chosen. “I’m sorry to hear that Costco is dropping out … I think that there is much money to be made with new stores,” said Dan Sokol, 83, an Auburn resident for 32 years. But Sokol, a taxpayers’ advocate, said the city is trying to do too much. “I don’t think that it’s up to the city to be recruiting, I think they are going too far with recruiting,” Sokol said. “It’s up to the companies to find the proper business … I think that the proper role of the city is not to get in the way.” Other concerns from the community include taking the “small-town” feel away from Auburn with the recruitment of large retail stores. “I would worry about our mom and pop stores in town,” said Rebecca Wilson, 22. Wilson said she grew up in Loomis and has worked in Auburn for four years as a barista at Starbucks on Elm Avenue in Auburn Town Center. “Naturally with the economic status it’s going to boost things, but that’s with the fact that people will have the money to spend,” Wilson said. “It would be good for us (Starbucks) because people would be up early going to work and need coffee.”
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Rebecca Wilson is working at Starbucks and she is worried about the mom and pop stores! Really?
candice04, I was thinking exactly the same thing!
what a shame, no costco. thanks to all you "shop local. support mom and pop, keep auburn small" folks. probably shoo my wal mart out town if they come snooping around too won't you?
Yes... we will. Why don't you move to Roseville if you're so fond of big, ugly box stores and blighted suburbia?
oh there it is. where were you when kmart, pak and save, bel air, and 84 lumber, a second mcdonalds, a second arco, were built? spare me. and btw, i live in forethill. put the damn costco and walmart up here if you want, or should i shop local and overpay for a limited selection of goods? put the costco/walmart up 49 past dry creek, theres all kinds of places that are out of the way! you keep auburn small folks drive me nuts.
Call J R Conkey & Associates to find out where Costco is going, or Kirk Uhler for that matter.
City officials would like to attract large businesses...that won't compete with the existing businesses which is, of course, ridiculous. (I suppose Tiffany's would be considered ideal.) We need a Wal-Mart super store. I'd much rather spend my money at a Wal-Mart in Auburn than a Wal-Mart in Roseville.
I am soooo happy about the costco news. However I am left wondering if whatever is going in on that piece of property will be worse?
Settle down, Travis. ;)
saladin? now i am suspicious... is my cover blown?
Your secret's safe with me. It's me, Euripides... I wont say anything if you don't.
justchillout: What could be worse? I know, the land by the movie theaters could be used for a park but named after a racist. That would be worse, then they might welcome the Costco.
getalong: That was a bad hint. That was the name of a lead character on a paper I turned into you once. Let's see... hmm... I held the glorious title of President prior to my leaving. Then I briefly dated a girl that was waaay younger than me. Then I blew it... now I have a year and a month. I had to kick Frank out of the house that Boomer, Gary and I were in because he threatened me just like he threatened everyone there that one time.
If that doesn't do it... I have no idea what will. Keep it quiet, ok?
i do believe i get you now. i also believe you know where i am mon-fri. call me if so or come over. i still want a costco/walmart though. just chillout and chuckyheese are my ilk on the sse.
I was banned, remember? Me and my ego get in the way of my life sometimes.
I guess all those last hints were unnecessary, huh?
yeah i posted prior to your second post showing. come over sometime. always welcome!!!!
Maybe I'll come by sometime... despite my past foolishness.
I've got to get going. Have a good one.
hey gatalong...how would you like all these shops up in foresthill? that explains why you have no problem with auburn growing....cause you dont live here, duh! As much as I like shopping at all of these places...it also brings more poeple up here, which I don't like. So I'd rather go down to roseville to shop...and live up in a nice community.
Hmmm, go to a movie and then to.....Costco. I think not. How about some restaurants, maybe an arcade. This town has ignored the under 21 crowd way too long. I am sure a fun, safe place for tweens and teens would be appreciated by many.
how about a lazer tag arena? oh wait, that should be in the Gottshalks bldg.??
God Bless ChuxxR!
I would be a lazer tag JUNKIE if we had one. ;-)
Some day there will be both a Wal-Mart and a Costco in Auburn.......and hopefully a place where we can play lazer tag!
THough i appreciate that Sokol has appointed himself as the watch dog for the tax payers he is way off base on what he thinks the city should and should not do. Dan the city status is in trouble. They need tax revenue. They need to recruit to bolster this tax base. If not then the money has to come from somewhare else. Where do you think that will be. Be smart Dan if the city is recruiting that is a good thing. The taxoayers are getting even more work for their taxes. For those of you that do not want these types of businesses then i ask you how do you expect to pay a major sewer bill coming down the road. Auburn has some serious money problems that it does not appear will resolve without a miracle. Folks unless you want to part of the solution and come to the table with some money generating proposals give the city officials a break. They are trying to save a dying little town that is on the brink of becoming a county liability.
henry, if you hired someone to invest your hard earned money and they invested your finances poorly and lost them would you give them more of your hard earned money? If costco was being built in your backyard would you still want it? I'm not saying I have the answers but don't throw good money after bad. I don't understand that kind of math. What if the city supported the small independent local business and helped those to grow instead of back kissing the big corporate box stores. Sorry if I offend, but this subject makes me grumpy. Happy fathers day!
I love all these unbiaed comments by those folks who bring us high prices, marginal service and low paying jobs without benefitts. Bring on a Costco, a casino, and some dam builders.
Here's the deal, if Auburn doesn't put big retail companies in, then my dollars will go to roseville. I can't tell you how many times i have gone to 84 lumber and they don't have what i need! It is so frusterating and a complete waste of time. The same goes for the mom and pop shops. They have a limited stock, and don't ever have what i am looking for so i don't even bother wasting my time in old town or downtown. It is nice to windowshop down there, but for the everyday stuff, you need a large store with a variety of things in it to make it convenient. For example, the only place i can get childrens shoes are: Target, Kmart, famous footwear, Ross. None of them sell quality shoes! Where can you get decent cosmetics here? YOU CAN'T! It is possible to put these stores in a more tucked away location, similar to what Home depot did without "ruining" auburns small town feel. THANK GOD for Home Depot by the way! Look at the fountains for inspiration, they offer small shops, but quality items, and an awesome retail selection.