by William Guo
On Wednesday, March 12, the town of Sharon will welcome a new, much anticipated member of its community: a 162,000-square-foot Costco warehouse. That’s right — in just a week, Sharon’s brand new Costco location will be set to open at 160 Old Post Road. Its arrival is expected to affect Sharon’s economy, traffic, and community.
HISTORY
The Costco opening is the culmination of a decades-long effort by developers and the town of Sharon to create the Sharon Gallery, a retail and living space just off I-95 and opposite of the Sharon Marketplace. Sharon Gallery, formerly known as Sharon Commons, had overcome years of challenges leading up to this moment. The group switched developers, lost potential retail tenants, and fought concerns about water treatment and traffic before finally creating a Master Site Plan that was approved by Sharon’s Zoning Board of Appeals in 2021.
Besides the Costco, the Gallery will also consist of several smaller retail businesses and 180 nearby residential units.
According to public property records, Costco Wholesale Corporation purchased a 22 acre lot in the Sharon Gallery for $7 million in June 2024. Over a few months, workers constructed an entire warehouse in the lot. After it opens, Sharon’s Costco will become the seventh Costco branch in Massachusetts.
Sharon’s Town Administrator, Frederic Turkington, expressed enthusiasm about the arrival of the Sharon Costco. “The Town of Sharon is extremely excited for the opening of Costco in Sharon Gallery,” Turkington said. “The Town of Sharon is committed to attracting new businesses to Sharon while also supporting and retaining our existing businesses.”
To aid with new economic and commercial development in Sharon, the Sharon Select Board recently re-established the Economic Development Committee. According to Turkington, the committee’s ultimate goal is to “expand and strengthen the local economy and diversify the community’s tax base.”
WHAT IT MEANS FOR SHARON
For a quiet town like Sharon, with property taxes generating the bulk of its revenue, the opening of a multibillion dollar retail store like Costco may have far-reaching effects.
“Costco will provide excellent new retail and service options for residents in Sharon and the surrounding communities.” Turkington explained. “As a local employer, Costco has also created many new employment opportunities. Costco and…the rest of Sharon Gallery will increase the Town’s commercial tax base, generating new revenue.”
With bustling economic activity, traffic may concern some Sharon residents. However, the town prepared extensively to prevent any negative effects. “Costco is a large facility that will bring many people and cars to the area,” Sharon’s Deputy Chief of Police, Brad Fitzhenry, stated. “Mass Highway, Costco, and the Town of Sharon worked together to put a plan in place that would deal with any issues that might arise.”
Last year, Sharon’s Public Works Department began the South Main Street Signalization Project. The project implemented traffic signals, sidewalks, and other improvements along roads leading to the Costco to create a safer and more efficient traffic flow.
Additionally, Fitzhenry said there will be a sizable police presence near the Costco during opening week. “Sharon PD will be monitoring the area and recommending any changes or adjustments if needed. The community’s safety should not be impacted,” Fitzenhenry stated. “There will be multiple officers on detail at Costco for the first week.”
With the grand opening only a week away, town officials and Sharon High students alike are looking forward to the brand-new Costco’s grand opening on Thursday.
“Costco is a wonderful new addition to Sharon’s vibrant business community,” Turkington said. “We welcome Costco to Sharon and wish them every success.”
