Hey Capital Region, we're finally getting a Costco

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Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re taking a look at the long-overdue Costco store that’s finally coming to Guilderland. It’s really happening, folks. Plus, we’ve got a packed weekend guide for y’all.

We also want to give a warm welcome 👋 to the hundreds of TU readers who became new subscribers this week. In case you missed it, Paul Grondahl profiled The 518  in the local paper of record. Money quote: “If you think Albany is boring, you’re not paying attention!” Thanks for the lovely article, Paul.

Lastly, congrats to Ciaely Sanchez-Collazo, the winner of our Drink Schenectady giveaway! 🍸️ 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

We’re really getting that Costco: Here’s what you need to know

After years of delays, lawsuits, and “is it ever actually happening?” questions, the Capital Region is finally getting its first Costco.

The biggest sign yet? Pyramid Management Group, which owns Crossgates Mall and is developing the Costco store, just ponied up a cool $1.15 million for the last house standing in the way of the development. Zillow estimates that the modest home is really worth just $457K (which already seems too high).

Here’s everything you need to know about the coming Costco:

📅 Opening timeline

There’s been some confusion over the opening date, with many folks saying late 2025 as the target. Now, the official word from Costco is summer 2026. Pyramid also confirmed that we’re unlikely to see the grand opening this year.

📐 Store specs

• 163,000 sq. ft. warehouse

• 770 parking spaces (there will never be enough parking 🙃)

• 18-pump gas station

Expect A LOT of traffic, especially in the first weeks and months. But the gas savings alone (40-50 cents cheaper than other stations) might just be worth the hassle and membership fee.

🤔 Additional context

• This will be the first Costco in the Capital Region. Currently, the nearest Costco is more than an hour away in West Springfield, MA.

• The store has already taken 5 years to come to fruition (it was first proposed in 2018). Covid and legal challenges delayed the project, but all suits (environmental, traffic, neighborhood impact) have been dismissed.

• $2+ million in tax exemptions were approved by the Guilderland Industrial Development Agency

🔴 The conclusion is clear: The Capital Region really, really wants this Costco.

For us, the biggest question is whether a Costco membership is actually worth it. This Reddit thread has 865 opinions on that debate.

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💼 The city of Troy just lost its comptroller—again. Less than three months after Mayor Carmella Mantello appointed him, Jack Krokos has resigned, citing family obligations. The mayor blames the city’s outdated accounting system. But the resignation will likely mean further delays in getting quarterly financial reports from the Mantello administration, which has been criticized for its lack of financial transparency. [WAMC]

👮‍♂️ In their latest public conversation, Albany police chief Brendan Cox and Mayor Kathy Sheehan are shedding light on crime trends in the city. According to the chief, overall crime is down 21% since 2013. Incidents involving shots fired dropped to 124 in 2024 from 152 in 2023. Meanwhile, the mayor touted stats showing that the city’s tax base has grown, and the poverty rate has dropped 25% over the last 11 years of her three terms. [WAMC]

🌮 Restaurant rundown:

• The TU’s dining critic gives the new Las Margaritas in Latham the thumbs up. “With cocktails, DJs and a kitchen open late, this promises to be Latham’s surprising summer spot,” Susie Davidson Powell writes.

• The Albany Business Review profiles the newest addition to the Saratoga dining scene, Bibulous, a cocktail bar that also has a thing for desserts (lemon olive oil cake, chocolate cake, mousse, etc.)

• And News10 offers a roundup of the best restaurants for Easter specials 🐰 

⭐️ 🌷 Spring is for the young at heart! This month’s First Friday Albany is all about art for the young ones, with K-12 art shows at Albany Center Gallery, local libraries and City Hall. Come out to celebrate the enormous creativity of these young talents.

There’s plenty of stuff for grownups too, including free admission to the Albany Institute of History & Art, free tours at the Van Ostrande-Radliff House and the Capitol building. Jordan Taylor Hill and Friends at Opalka Gallery is sure to be popular, and The Eleven has Oobleck, Tad Cautious, plus a pop-up exhibit from local artist Art with a Waddle. Fri, 6p until the cows come home, free.

⭐️ 🎹 Japanese piano legend Mitsuko Uchida returns to Union College for a highly anticipated program, which will include Beethoven’s E-minor Sonata, Op. 90, works by Schoenberg, Kurtág, and her recorded œuvre—Schubert’s monumental final sonata. Sun, 3p, $50.

⭐️ 🍺 Hosted by the Capital Craft Beverage Trail, Drink Schenectady at miSci is your chance to sample some of New York State’s very best brews and spirits while checking out the museum’s latest science exhibits, including Eye Candy: A Feast for the Eyes. Sat, 6-9p, $42.33.

⭐️ ⛵️ At Anything That Floats, teams build a vessel of any kind that can float for about a quarter of a mile on the Anthony Kill. Get to this popular Mechanicsville event for a vendor fair, free kids games, scavenger hunt, white water derby, and a cast off duck derby. 10a—3:30p, free to watch, $25-$35 to participate.

⭐️ 🛞 Speaking of Frankenstein contraptions, Monster Jam crunches through the MVP Arena this weekend. Sat & Sun, $28-$105.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

📸 Give your media-obsessed high schooler a summer photo class at UAlbany with Prof. Allison Debritz. Cameras and equipment provided, classes offered: Portfolio Prep Class | Darkroom Photography | Digital Collage | Contact: adebritz@albany.edu

🎙️ Catch Funny Girl, a dazzling Broadway revival featuring beloved classic songs at Proctors through Sunday.

TONIGHT

🔦 Light Up The Night at Grand Street Arts supports the Illuminate 68 Project as it seeks to breathe new life into Albany’s South End by transforming the former St. Anthony’s Church into a central hub (again).

FRIDAY

🖼️ It’s your last day to see History Lessons and Vito Acconci: Under-History Lessons at the UAlbany Art Museum.

👕 The Pass It On Sale at Afrim’s Sports Dome in Latham is a massive, 3-day event where you can pick up second-hand clothes, toys, games and other family-friendly items on the cheap.

⛳️ This weekend, the Colonie Town Library is putting on Mini Glow Golf for teens and other ages.

SATURDAY

🎨 Opalka Gallery hosts an early afternoon Kids Art Workshop for its current exhibition, Osi Audu: The Self in African Art.

🎮️ This weekend, EMPAC hosts the 2025 ECAC Spring Showdown: Intercollegiate Esports Competition.

🎷 The Larkin Hi-Fi puts on its jazziest show yet with Frequency + Flow: Spirit + Soul. Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the espresso martinis 🍸️ so good!

🏀 Bring the kids to Dick’s House of Sports in Latham to meet all of your favorite Capital Region mascots.

SUNDAY

🎙️ Get your budding singers to Kids Open Mic at Emack and Bolio's, hosted by Erin Harkes and sponsored by our friend, Henry the Tourism Gnome.

🕺 Get to No Fun in Troy for some incredible moves at its Hip Hop & Breakdancing Night.

👰 Getting hitched soon? Get to the New York Wedding and Bridal Expo at Albany Capital Center.

🍾 Johnnie’s on Broadway in Albany invites you to Pink & Prosecco: A Springtime Brunch Celebration.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Music Experience at The Egg on May 10 is part storytelling, part rock show. Listen to the fascinating story behind 16 of the most iconic songs of all time, from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, U2 and more! Each song will then be performed live on stage. Special for our subscribers: Use promo code THE518 to get a $10 discount on all tickets here.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

🦫 GET IN TOUCH!

Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: phat@the518.com