There’s this one store that completely wowed me the first time I walked into it. I was small at the time, just about 11 years old, and the minute I walked through the first entrance, my eyes were transfixed, and my neck started cramping as I stretched it towards its full potential. There were things, all kinds of things, everywhere I looked. The lanes stretched for what felt like miles on end and racks and racks of food and clothes lined the shelves. Of course, I was at USA’s most beloved wholesale grocery store, Costco!
Costco is one of the most iconic grocery stores in America, known for its large variety as well as quantity of products. Its wholesale identity is maintained by the racks and racks of jumbo sized products all around you. The very first store opened at a place just a few miles away from Redmond, in Kirkland, Washington.
The very first time I went there, I was frazzled, not knowing where to go first. There were choices between clothes, planting supplies, office supplies, appliances, and most importantly, food. Though one category was hardly any justice to the variety that Costco offers. There is a section completely reserved for nuts, candy and trail mix. Another is devoted to bakery, while the next is only reserved for cereals and so on.
One of the things I was completely appalled by the first time I went in Costco was how there was one entire lane dedicated only for coffee. There are all kinds, decaf, roasts, different brands, instant, hot chocolate powder, coffee beans from different parts of the world and so on. Though Costco had yet more surprises up its sleeve.
While there is one section completely dedicated to produce and the other to bakery, there are two massive walk in freezers where you ca walk in to get butter, eggs, cheese, milk, cherries, berries, mushrooms and more in frigid temperatures. That’s an experience in itself, the way I quickly zip up my hoodie before walking in, quickly grabbing strawberries from the shelf before shoving my hands back in my pockets to be kept warm. It feels like walking into a makeshift snow world, except instead of snow and games, you enjoy the magic of berries and milk.
I love to go to Costco, especially on the weekends, because that’s when I get to experience the joy of samples. One of the many things Costco is famous for is the variety of samples they offer. They have different ones every week, samples from few of the very many products in the store. If you have to microwave or bake that product, the staff have tiny microwave ovens on their table, cooking and serving the large crowd that’s gathered around. Those counters bring me joy every time I visit, getting to taste something from countries so many miles away.
I remember there used to be international culture day at my elementary school. These Costco sample days remind me of that, getting to taste something truly wonderful that’s come from so many miles away. The food is not the only international thing they have though.
Costco, to me, is always a season ahead of the rest of the world. Just as spring starts approaching, the summer inflatables, pools, snorkels and swimsuits are in full bloom in the store, in preparation for the summer still months ahead of us. Just as soon as August shows up, Halloween supplies start appearing in the store, fall vibes already underway. Soon after is thanksgiving and Christmas, the fake trees on full display with their lights shimmering and shining down on us.
If this wasn’t enough already, Costco even has a food section, just in case people get hungry after all the shopping and walking around in an area as big as almost 2 soccer fields. They have pizza, salads, hot dogs, and of course, dessert. I love their ice cream and their big gooey chocolate chip cookie, as if they already didn’t have a huge variety in their bakery section.
Costco means a lot to me and is truly my savior when it comes to snacks. It gave me the perfect breaks of food, people and ambience during my study heavy weekends, always starting with me dragging my parents to another universe called Costco.