Shoppers Line Up For Grand Opening Of New Murrieta Costco

MURRIETA, CA — Besides the local dignitaries who turned out for Friday morning's grand opening of the new Murrieta Costco at 35875 Warm Springs Parkway, a lot of shoppers were there too.

"Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of customers stood in a long line that snaked around the front of the store and through the parking lot, waiting for their chance to experience the new store," said Joe Fanaselle, a professional photographer who does freelance work for Patch and who attended the opening festivities.

Fanaselle captured Friday's activities in photos (see gallery above), which included a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce, proclamations and certificates to celebrate the feat, and, finally, an 8 a.m. store opening that was cheered by Costco employees as shoppers poured inside the 151,000-square-foot warehouse.

Those customers first in line were treated to free souvenirs: miniature Costco shopping carts with "Murrieta 08.05.22" printed on them.

At least one of those patrons waited overnight for a chance to experience the spanking-new warehouse.

"The first customer in line told me that his name was Mo, and he had been waiting at the front door since 6 p.m. on Thursday evening, just for the opportunity to be the first one to walk in the door," Fanaselle explained.

The sharpshooter couldn't stick around for long but he did make a lap around the inside of the warehouse. He commented on the store's enormous size, and one department could not be missed.

"The alcohol section ... is very elaborate," Fanaselle said. "There was even a bottle of 50-year-old scotch available for $38,999."

(Apparently, market research shows there's a taste for drink in Murrieta?)

The new Costco store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, according to the company.