South Windsor’s new 163,000-square-foot Costco warehouse opened Tuesday morning, with well over 100 people waiting in line outside in near freezing temperatures for the chance to purchase high demand holiday gifts or everyday essential items in bulk.

Karen Charette, a South Windsor resident, said she likes to attend grand openings in town.

“When new stores open, we like to be going on Day 1,” she said, flashing her Costco membership card.

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After Costco employees and town officials cut the ribbon, shoppers flooded into the electronics department at the front of the store — the destination for many.

Some stood in line since late last night, hoping to score a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X video game consoles for themselves and family members. The first shopper to enter the store managed to walk out with a PS5 in hand.

The store, located at 1220 Tamarack Ave., will be open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Conditions for the approval to build the new store included specified hours of operation for the gas station in the parking lot. Those are weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Other specialty departments at the store include a food court, pharmacy, optical department, and hearing aid center.

In April 2019, the Town Council granted Costco a seven-year, 60% tax abatement for the construction of the warehouse, which was assessed at $16.7 million at the time. Developers requested the abatement due to unstable soils on the site that required additional work.

The PZC approved Costco’s site plan in November 2020, and crews broke ground in April.

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