For Costco lovers, Anchorage's new business center makes for a satisfying trip

When Alex Lanier and his fiancée Emily walked down the aisles of Anchorage's new Costco business center Friday morning, it was like a romantic stroll down memory lane.

The couple enjoyed part of their first date at Costco. Now they plan to get married on Sunday.

Wearing gear from Costco's signature Kirkland brand, Emily wore a bridal veil over a pink stocking cap.

“We met and went to lunch,” Emily said. “And we didn't want the date to end. So we asked, 'What do we have to do today?' Hey, I have to go to Costco. Do I need to go to Costco? Then we wandered around Costco. ”

The happy couple and their friend were among the first at Tikatunu Commons on Friday, and their first purchase was a box of Reese's Peanut Butter Big Cups. And while this Costco is geared toward businesses and commercial ventures, early Friday shoppers had plenty to offer. A curious Costco enthusiast.

Among the crowd of shoppers, Ulver Ferrati stood out. A flatbed cart packed with cheese, spices, and produce.

Ferrati, owner of Fiori d'Italia restaurant in Spenard, said the business center is has been a game-changer for him by providing high-quality produce, dry goods, and equipment at reasonable and relatively stable prices.

He said since Sam's Club closed in 2018, there hasn't been a spot in Anchorage that offers commercial businesses that type of selection and purchasing power. He has looked at other suppliers, but says prices and quality are inconsistent. Costco's new stores offer one-stop bulk purchasing, he said.

“This is the core of my business because I can’t get my prices too high,” he said. “That won't work.”

The store is particularly useful for businesses in the service and hospitality industries, as the aisles are filled with large containers of hotel-grade pots, tableware, and household appliances, as well as dried goods and meat cuts. Mr. Ferrati thinks so.

When the store opened with a ribbon-cutting at 7 a.m., the store experienced its first rush as excited shoppers took selfies among the throngs of Costco employees lining the aisles.

Ron Sidlo walked down the aisle Friday morning with particular interest. He was working at a Costco business center in Tacoma, Wash., and was interested in seeing if the Alaska outpost would carry everything the Lower 48th store offers.

“We’re already three aisles down,” he said. “Some of the stuff that was in the Lower 48 (store) was actually brought here because you can't find stuff like this at a regular Costco.”

There are many items that are not featured in the standard Costco warehouse, but there are also items that shoppers can find in other stores that are not featured in the Business Center. This includes clothing, seasonal items, food samples, and the signature Costco food court.

Another feature of the business center is that it plans two-day grocery delivery throughout the state through FedEx.

Aside from local businesses, Sidlo said the biggest impact may be increased access from shoppers across the state.

“This will make it much easier for us to travel to villages in other parts of the state and pack orders as we will have regular deliveries of goods,” he says.

[A ‘different kind’ of Costco is opening in Anchorage, with plans for 2-day grocery delivery statewide]

The business center has a very large walk-in cooler section with a larger selection of produce, including citrus fruit in boxes rather than bags and items like sweet potatoes in 50-pound bags.

The store's inventory on Friday included a commercial hand dryer, a whole New Zealand lamb and a bucket of candy large enough to support a large parade float.

Ubon Outsavong took advantage of another perk of the Costco Business Center: early hours. The business center opens at 8 a.m. on Sundays and at 7 a.m. all other days. He took his mother, who is said to be an avid Costco shopper, to check out the new store.

“I figured if I got here early in the day, I probably wouldn't miss anything,” he said. “For some reason, I'm superstitious. I'm the same way around Black Friday and the holidays. Oh my god, I have to get there so I don't miss anything.”

Additionally, he was trying to get some items into the new house he had just bought. Most of all, he was looking for a deal on his Apple Mac mini, which he had seen at other stores.

Maria Isabella Rivera loaded her arms with bottles filled with different flavors of Torani's drinking syrups. These were the perfect addition to the coffee she and her husband enjoy, and they were a great value.

At first, she intended to just investigate the scene. But like her many trips to Costco, her plans for that didn't take hold.

“I just came to look, but there were a lot of good deals,” she said. She said: “I wasn't planning on getting anything, but when I come here I think differently: “Oh, I need this, I need that.''

The same goes for soon-to-be newlyweds who decide they need more than just the Reese's and end up picking up a cart. They were also looking at the possibility of snacks for the reception.

“The cheese selection was amazing,” Emily said.