COSTCO has a competitor with some striking similarities, and shoppers are eager to test it out this year.
The dupe store of the warehouse retailer offers even more perks and even has a similar food court design.
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Some of the nearly identical qualities come right down to the name — Koshco.
Sure enough, the location in Los Angeles, California, isn’t far off the Costco brand and has the same format, aside from the 145,000 square feet of space that’s typically seen.
Downtown Los Angeles’ Koshco Superstore is a kosher take on Costco, hence the name, per SFGate.
It resides at the heart of a predominantly Jewish community in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood on the city’s west side.
The area became a hotspot in Los Angeles as far back as 1910.
German Ashkenazi Jews arrived around that time and quickly built it up.
It would expand even further, with Orthodox and Iranian Jews following decades later in the 1980s.
Today, kosher markets and restaurants are everywhere, including Holy Grill and Shalom Pizza.
The beginnings of Koshco were humble in 2020, as it was created to be an online delivery service that completed local orders of only Glatt kosher groceries.
Koshco solidified itself as a retailer with the cultural and religious standards fueled by the local community.
It quickly became popular, opening a brick-and-mortar location two years later.
Since 2022, the store has offered customers produce, meats, Israeli candy, and more in bulk for shoppers.
While that business model is similar to Costco, it does not require those who shop there to have a membership.
Even without that requirement, there are consistent deals and discounts on merchandise and free local delivery.
Costco membership sharing guidelines
Costco has strict rules for membership use that shoppers must follow and they’ve been cracking down on offenders in recent years.
- Primary Member Use: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. Sharing it for purchases is not allowed as the photo on the card must match the person using it.
- Household Card: Each primary member can add one free household cardholder who lives at the same address. This person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
- Guest Policy: Members can bring up to two guests per visit to Costco. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
- Authorized Cardholder: For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who doesn’t reside at your address. They will receive their own card and can shop independently.
Credit: Costco
SET AND STOCKED
Some food and drink options on shelves are from mainstream brands like Kellogg’s, and there are snacks like Israeli Doritos.
There’s also a bakery area stocked by Beverlywood Bakery from down the street with challahs, raspberry and cream cheese rugelach, and apricot hamentashen.
Additionally, the freezer section holds items like Abe’s ice cream, mushroom kibbeh, and pastrami-stuffed kishka.
Sushi is even offered fresh daily to customers.
Among several aspects missing that would make it a direct dupe of Costco, the Koshco Superstore also has a food court-like area.
On its website, it’s noted as the Takeout section, where customers can get hot entrees and appetizers to-go.
CHANGE UP
Costco also recently confirmed that it would be rolling out at least three massive changes to its food court in 2025.
Most notable was the replacement of Pepsi products, which had been available since 2013.
Instead, Coca-Cola is now returning as a prominent vendor for the warehouse retailer.
“We will be converting our food court fountain business back over to Coca-Cola,” Costco CEO Ron Vachris confirmed in a shareholders meeting earlier in April.
Vachris noted that Costco’s over 600 locations nationwide would be fully converted to Coca-Cola about mid-way through the year.
A Costco member also revealed a little-known “coupon book” that could mean more discounts if shoppers act fast.
The retailer is also one of several that will close for 24 hours soon alongside competitors like Sam’s Club.