If Costco Wholesale's visit to Squamish was meant to gauge the community's interest for a local warehouse, it generated only a whisper of support. The big box giant's reps visited the Adventure Centre Saturday (April 19) in a recruitment drive for the soon-to-be opened Burnaby location. But despite the presence two representatives and a table full of gifts, including umbrellas and cooler bags, the Adventure Centre theatre remained relatively empty.By mid-afternoon, the display had attracted about 20 people, said marketing manager David Smith, a number he acknowledged was lower than he had hoped.The sign-up blitz gave store representatives the chance to take the pulse of local consumers. "All the feedback we receive from people we will take back to head office," Smith said.Despite the low turn out, he remained confident there would one day be a Costco warehouse in Squamish."It sounds like everybody really wants one here from who we've talked to," he said. "I'm sure there will be at some point but I can't give you a time or date for that."The Squamish Sustainability Corporation's business development lead Dave Thomson said the corridor's heavy commuter traffic could make a Squamish Costco viable."Now there is a market with a need and a want for a big box-fast, quick and brand recognizable." He said many Sea to Sky businesses, particularly those in the service sector, would take advantage of a local Costco to pick up bulk items rather fighting through Vancouver traffic.On the downside, Thomson said a local Costco could be an eyesore if positioned near the highway. Its ultra-competitive prices could also put other stores out of business.Smith said Costco has no direct competitors in Western Canada, but noted it is more likely to take business away from other big box stores such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot than family owned operations.
