Business & Tech
Southborough Costco Clears Hurdle After Liquor License Bill
A proposed Costco development along Route 9 has cleared another hurdle after Gov. Maura Healey signed special liquor license legislation.
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA — A proposed Costco development along Route 9 has cleared another hurdle after Gov. Maura Healey signed special liquor license legislation.
Gov. Healey signed the measure Oct. 1, authorizing Southborough to issue one additional license for off-premises alcohol sales to Costco Atlantic Liquors Inc. at 21 Coslin Drive. The legislation was filed at the town’s request to support the planned Costco development.
The measure became Chapter 227 of the Acts of 2026 after passing the House and Senate in September. State Rep. Kate Donaghue (D-Southborough) and state Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) announced the signing Oct. 22.
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“We heard from the people of Southborough that Costco is important to the Town and is expected to be the first of several new businesses along the Route 9 business corridor,” Rep. Donaghue said in a statement. “Ever since the Town Meeting vote, I have been hearing from people who are thrilled that Costco will be coming to the area.”
The law gives Southborough’s licensing authority permission to award the license. It does not itself issue the license or provide final approval for the Costco project.
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“I am pleased to pass this legislation at the request of the Town of Southborough,” Eldridge said. “It reflects the town’s consideration of long-term planning priorities while responding to the needs of residents and local businesses.”
Eldridge said the development could broaden Southborough’s commercial property tax base, reduce pressure on homeowners, landlords and renters and bring more customers to other businesses in town.
Costco Plans Remain Under Review
The proposed Costco would include an approximately 167,000-square-foot warehouse and a 15-pump gas station. The roughly 26-acre property spans Southborough and Westborough, with the warehouse planned in Southborough and part of the parking area extending into Westborough.
The development remains subject to local review. Southborough’s Planning Board opened its public hearing Sept. 28 to examine traffic, landscaping, lighting, stormwater systems, utilities and the proposed fuel facility. The latest reported estimate calls for the store to open in late 2027 or early 2028.
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