PHOENIX — The Costco Wholesale at Christown Spectrum mall in central Phoenix will close. Though, exactly when the store will close remains unclear.
Rumors of the closure began circulating on social media, including Facebook and Nextdoor, last week. However, at the time, Costco nor the company responsible for leasing tenants at the mall would comment on or confirm those reports to ABC15.
When reached last week, a spokesperson for Costco's corporate office said in an email that "management has no comment at this time. We appreciate your interest and support of Costco Wholesale."
When reached by phone by an ABC15 reporter earlier this month, two unnamed employees confirmed that the store would close, but those employees did not know when the closure would happen. One of the employees said staff found out about the closure the week before we contacted them.
A spokesperson for Kimco Realty, the company that handles tenants and leasing for the shopping center near 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, declined to comment when reached last week.
However, on Tuesday, Jennifer Maisch, vice president of marketing and communication for Kimco Realty, released a statement to the Phoenix Business Journal confirming that Costco has decided not to renew its lease at the shopping center.
That statement was shared with ABC15 on Wednesday.
"We were disappointed to learn that Costco would not be renewing their lease at Christown Spectrum, and we understand that many of our shoppers are disappointed as well," the statement said. "Kimco is committed to providing our customers with the tenant mix that will best serve their needs and ensure the long-term health of this shopping center, and we are actively marketing the space to a variety of retail and entertainment tenants."
Maisch declined to comment beyond the statement.
It is not known why Costco decided not to renew its lease.
That location opened in 2000, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.
With the expected closure, the closest Costco to that location would be the warehouse at 44th Street and Thomas, which is roughly 12 miles east, or the Phoenix Business Center location near Grand Avenue and 33rd Avenue, which has limited produce, meat, and deli offerings.
Other Costco locations are in Scottsdale, north Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Gilbert, Chandler, Avondale and Mesa.
Costco has also submitted plans to build a warehouse in Surprise, Arizona. However, it is not known when that location is expected to open.
