LINDA, Calif. — A Costco is just the beginning of a new start for the former home of the old Peach Tree Mall in Linda.
After a long wait, the Marysville area will finally be able to cruise the aisles of their new Costco the day before Thanksgiving. It comes after a series of delays, but Costco officials said those delays appear to be a thing of the past.
"Maybe to everyone else it's just one store, but for any community, it's jobs, it's opportunity, it's a draw for other national brands. So yeah, we're excited for what the future holds for the south portion of the county," said Rachel Abbott, spokesperson for Yuba County.
The lot has been vacant for over 36 years. It was once the home of the Peach Tree Mall, but it flooded in 1986 and a fire destroyed what remained of the mall back in 2021. While the loss was tragic, it did manage to catalyze redevelopment efforts in the area.
"It's a big deal, and we're really excited to see new life on this parcel, as well as the broader revitalization of development in this south area of the county," said Abbott.
Outside of the new jobs, having Costco as an anchor for the Feather River Center appears to already be bringing in some new businesses. Abbott said Wendy's confirmed that it will also be setting up shop in the center, helping to fill out more of the 40-acre site.
"Costco, of course, is a magnet for other national brands, because of the name recognition, the draw that it brings," said Abbott.
That recognition and magnet effect doesn't just impact one shopping center either.
"Our community is made up of these small little businesses that are ran by our neighbors, our friends, and they benefit from this too. Anytime that we see a surge in economic development in any portion of our county, really everyone benefits from other local businesses to employers to, obviously, the residents themselves," said Abbott.
While the big news is that Costco is coming to Linda before Thanksgiving, Abbott said it's just part of the bigger picture for the area and what the county has been investing in.
She said the county invested $500 million over the last decade in flood protection and levee improvements in the area, and they recently finished a $3.3 million project to improve storm drainage along the corridor. This is in addition to paving and signal improvements as well.
"This is really bigger than Costco, and just shows that you the county's investing in our community. And we're excited to see that larger businesses and retailers and even people moving from out of the area see our value because we've known it this whole time," said Abbott.
With the opening scheduled for Nov. 22, some traffic impacts are expected for the opening, but the county and sheriff's office are expected to be on hand if assistance is needed.
Nonetheless, if you plan on heading to the opening, officials anticipate traffic congestion and also recommend bringing your patience.
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