Camarillo celebrated the grand opening of its newest Costco Wholesale on Oct. 30, a 162,000‑square‑foot warehouse at 431 W. Ventura Blvd. The early‑morning ribbon‑cutting drew a line of shoppers that wrapped around the building and filled all 900 newly‑striped parking spaces.
Community excitement and local leaders
Mayor David Tennessen praised the two‑year effort that brought the retailer to the city, noting that the partnership between Costco and Camarillo “clearly shows something everybody here wanted.” He announced that the store is projected to generate roughly $1.5 million in annual tax revenue, a boost for municipal services.
Ventura County Supervisor Kelly Long echoed the sentiment, calling the location “amazing” and emphasizing its rarity in the county. Andy Conli, president and CEO of the West Ventura County Business Alliance, highlighted the economic impact, saying the new Costco means jobs and additional tax revenue for Camarillo and surrounding communities.
Early shoppers travel far for the opening
Enthusiastic shoppers arrived from across the country. Isaiah Partain drove more than 1,200 miles from Great Falls, Montana, with his dog, hoping to purchase Disneyland tickets for his family. He became the first customer to walk through the doors, greeted by cheering employees.
Other early arrivals included Seattle resident Israel Ruelas, who arrived the day before to secure a spot near the front in search of limited‑release spirits, and JoAnn Perez, who traveled from Lancaster for the same purpose. Local resident Monty Boswell, 87, recalled Camarillo’s ranching past and returned with his wife early Saturday morning after spotting the warehouse the night before.
Features and local offerings
The Camarillo Costco includes a gas station that opened in May and will feature a selection of locally produced items. Camarillo resident Sylvia Jaquez purchased bottles of a special Camarillo wine offered for the opening, planning to keep one as a souvenir and send another to her son in Texas.
General Manager Trey Cardwell expressed pride in representing Costco in the community, saying, “I’m super ecstatic. We are going to do big things for you guys.” Costco CEO Ron Vachris also attended, greeting employees and shoppers alike.
Economic outlook
City officials anticipate the warehouse will create numerous jobs, both directly within the store and indirectly through supporting businesses. The expected $1.5 million in annual tax revenue will help fund local projects and services, reinforcing Camarillo’s growth trajectory.
With the addition of this location, Camarillo joins nearby Oxnard (opened 1985) and Simi Valley and Westlake Village (both opened 1996) as part of Costco’s expanding presence in west Ventura County.
Looking ahead
As the doors remain open, Camarillo residents and visitors alike will continue to benefit from the retailer’s wide selection, competitive pricing, and community‑focused initiatives. The opening marks a significant milestone for the city’s economic development and underscores the collaborative spirit between local government and private enterprise.
Original reporting: Thousand Oaks Acorn — read the source article.
