Costco opens its doors in Western New York

Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - It was a day many have been waiting for in Western New York: The opening of the region's first Costco Wholesale in Amherst.

The brand new Costco officially opened for the public on Wednesday, with eager shoppers camping outside the entrance of the store as early as 4 a.m. ET. Some shoppers even arrived as early as 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, but were asked to come back early the next morning.

"There's only one grand opening for this location, so definitely want to be a part of the history," said Margarita, who traveled to Buffalo for the Costco opening from Hamilton, Ontario.

For many shoppers, it was a day circled on the calendars, and highly anticipated for ever since plans were first announced for the Costco years ago.

"When they made the announcement, I couldn't wait, because I've been driving all the way to Rochester. Hugest fan of Costco," said Tammy from Tonawanda with WBEN. "I love their quality of food and their product, and their customer service is impeccable. Everything about them, they're just amazing all the way around. I couldn't wait for them to come to Buffalo."

"I've been a Costco member for 14 years now, and there's just so much to offer. It's such an exciting atmosphere," added Allie from Buffalo. "The employees of Costco are so helpful. Genuinely, it is an amazing experience all around."

Other shoppers Wednesday were taking in all that Costco has to offer for the first time after becoming a store club member leading up to its opening.

"I enjoy those experiences, looking for some new things inside, seeing what it's like," said Jeremy from North Tonawanda with WBEN. "Never had one, so again, join the experience out, get to see the new stuff, checking everything out."

While Western New York already has a number of similar big bulk stores like Costco, as well as other more local experiences like Tops or Wegmans, what is it that separates Costco from the rest?

"You can't really compare, because Costco will have all sorts of different things you didn't know that you wanted," said Stuart from Amherst with WBEN. "You'll go in for two things and spend $400, have no idea how you did it, and you'll leave with a smile on your face. I love it."

"I think it just gives everybody another direction to go to," said Tim from North Tonawanda. "I think there's a lot of different people in the area where they can afford doing bulk, doing cheap shopping, doing restaurant shopping, whatever it may be. So I think they'll all have different options now."

The store is located at 4230 Ridge Lea Road in Amherst.