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Costco in Maine is Open

POSTED BY
Leah Ingram

Maine’s first Costco in Scarborough just celebrated its one year anniversary. Opening day was on November 17, 2023. And you can bet your bottom dollar that I went albeit not right at the 8 a.m. opening time.

costco in scarborough maine on opening day
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

Questions about the Costco in Maine

Since I first wrote this article, I’ve gotten lots of questions about the Costco in Scarborough, Maine. I’m thrilled to be able to answer all of them now.

Where is Maine’s one and only Costco located?

Costco is off Payne Road in Scarborough. Technically, the address is 455 Scarborough Downs Road. It’s at the intersection of Payne Road, Scarborough Downs Road and Holmes Road.

opening date for costco in maine
Photo credit: Costco.com.

Pro tip: if you’re coming from the north on Payne Road, say from South Portland or Marden’s just up the road, as I was today, you may have to wait through two or three turn signals to get into Costco. It’s super frustrating. A better bet might be to take a right on Bridges Drive and then a left on Holmes Road so you’ll have a straightaway light.

Otherwise, when coming from the south or from the Maine Turnpike in either direction, you would use Exit 42 to access it (near Cabela’s). Then make a left on Payne Road and you can’t miss Costco on the right.

Before this, if Mainers wanted to shop at Costco, they had to drive to Nashua, New Hampshire, or Danvers, Massachusetts. Even with the annoyingly short turning light, I’m thrilled to have a Costco so close now.

I’m told that there will be a second Costco in Maine coming in 2025 or 2026. Multiple people who live in Bangor and drove to Scarborough to join were told that they would have a much shorter drive soon enough. You see, when they presented their drivers licenses at the membership desk and the employees saw Bangor listed, that’s when they slipped them the news. I don’t have an opening date yet for the Bangor location but I’ll update this article as soon as I find out.

What are hours at the Costco in Scarborough, Maine?

Here are the Scarborough hours:

  • Mon-Fri. 10:00AM – 08:30PM
  • Sat. 09:30AM – 06:00PM
  • Sun. 10:00AM – 06:00PM

The only exception was on opening day, when the store opened at 8 a.m.

Gas station hours vs Costco warehouse hours

On my other blog, I wrote a long post about Costco gas stations. It was in doing research for that article that I discovered that gas station hours at Costco are different from the warehouse itself.

gas prices and gas station hours costco maine
Photo credit: Costco.com.

With the Scarborough Costco, the same is true. For example, the gas station opens four hours earlier than the warehouse store and stays open one hour longer Monday through Friday. On Saturday, the gas station is open 3.5 hours before the warehouse opens and closes two hours later. And on Sunday, the gas station opens three hours earlier and closes only one hour later than the warehouse.

Finally, note the mention of Costco being closed on Thanksgiving Day. Now I can add it to my list of stores in Maine closed on national holidays.

How to get gas at Costco

As far as the actual process of how to get gas at Costco, it’s important to understand the setup at most Costcos with gas stations. Every Costco gas station I’ve ever used has a gas station within the store’s parking lot.

However, it has a single entrance into the gas station area. Then, there is a single exit that lets you exit back into the parking lot to go shopping or leave the shopping center entirely. This is how it works at the Scarborough Costco.

When I’m done pumping gas, I can exit left from the gas station area and then turn left again to get back out onto Payne Road by making a right turn. This saves you from having to drive all the way through the parking lot to the main entrance.

On the other hand, if you continue straight or to the right, you’ll be in the parking lot to continue your shopping or, as I mentioned, wind your way to the main entrance. This is a must if you’re leaving and need to turn left on Payne Road. That aforementioned other exit onto Payne Road is a right turn only.

Steps to get gas at Costco

Now to the steps to getting gas at Costco:

  1. Enter the Costco gas station area.
  2. Take an open spot at a pump.
  3. Open your vehicle’s gas tank.
  4. Take out your Costco member card or credit card and scan the membership number to activate the pump.
  5. Alternately, if you do not have your Costco member card, you can tap your Costco VISA card to pay and it will automatically recognize your member number.
  6. Choose the kind of gas you want.
  7. Remove the gas pump handle.
  8. Pump gas until it shuts off.
  9. Remove nozzle from your car, reset it at the pump and choose whether your want a receipt or not

Automotive services at this new Costco

According to this article in the Portland Press Herald, the Costco Wholesale Club store will not only be for shopping but also for getting gas. And they were right.

So expect to see long lines at the Costco gas station once it is open. We were lucky that on opening day, I guess not enough people had membership cards to get gas — a must at Costco. We pulled right up to the pumps and filled up.

costco gas station maine
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

Usually, wholesale club members can get gas onsite for cheaper than regular retail gas stations. And the gas was definitely cheaper. We paid $2.89 per gallon. At our local Irving, we pay significantly more than that. Here’s more on Maine gas prices.

Speaking of automotive services, Costco has a full-service tire center. You can access it from outside (if you need to bring your car in for tire service) or from the inside, near the membership desk.

tire center at costco scarborough maine
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

Will there be a pharmacy at the Costco in Maine?

Yes, Costco has a pharmacy. It also has an optical department, for getting glasses and contact lenses, as well as a hearing aid center.

Fun fact: you don’t have to be a Costco member to get your prescription filled. Anyone can walk in and visit the pharmacy.

Also, did you know that you can get pet prescriptions at Costco? We just priced one of my dog Sadie’s medications. Check out these differences:

  • At CVS, 120 capsules cost $30
  • At Costco, 120 capsules costs $10.99

What are the Costco pharmacy hours?

The Costco pharmacy hours are slightly different from the store’s hours. It appears the pharmacy opens a bit later than the store. Also, it closes one hour earlier. Finally, the pharmacy is always closed on Sunday.

costco pharmacy hours
Costco pharmacy, Scarborough, Maine. Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

However, note what it says about if/when there is only one pharmacist on duty: the prescription department closes between 1:30 and 2:30 for lunch.

Will Costco be selling beer, wine and liquor?

I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is that there was plenty of wine for sale at Costco. Like aisles and aisles of it. And look at these prices!

wine and prices at costco
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

Now the bad news: Costco won’t replace your local package store. The only alcohol I saw for sale was wine. There wasn’t any beer or other kinds of liquor.

Update: as of November 2024, Costco does have hard liquor. It’s not as extensive as the package store but it’s there. You’ll want to head towards the back of the Scarborough warehouse and look for it near the wine. Also, across from the last aisle of frozen foods, you’ll find the hard seltzers.

What brands can you buy at Costco

This article explains which national brands make the Costco brand of items. However, there are plenty of bona fide national brands for sale at Costco, including the one in Scarborough. For example, in the tech area, you can find Apple products. LG sounds bars and Roku TVs.

tvs at new costco in scarborough
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

Costco sells name-brand appliances as well as food. That’s everything from Kings Hawaiian Bread to Oikos yogurt and much more.

However, what surprised me the most were the clothing and footwear brands at Costco. Never before have I seen Uggs at Costco. Nor Carhartt clothing. Or Columbia or Marmot outwear.

marmot jackets at costco
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

What’s cool about these last three is that they are clothing brands that have some sort of warranty or guarantee. In other words, they stand behind the items they make.

Other departments at Costco

produce and bakery departments at costco scarborough
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

You’ll find a wide range of food departments at Costco. This includes:

  • Bakery (the cakes are amazing)
  • Deli
  • Butcher
  • Dairy
  • Fresh produce
  • Frozen foods

Costco supports Maine businesses

Did you know that you can buy Maine-based brands in Costco?

For example, when shopping at a Costco location near Pittsburgh, we bought York-based Stonewall Kitchen’s blueberry preserves. In addition, Costco sells Toms of Maine toothpaste as well as a ravioli featuring Maine lobster.

At the new Scarborough location, I saw two examples of Maine businesses that were represented inside the store. Both instances were bulk gift cards that you could buy to local businesses.

One was bulk gift cards to the Holy Donut. You could get two $50 gift cards for $79.99.

the holy donut gift cards at Costco
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

The other was bulk gift cards for Sea Salt Lobster in Saco. Like with the Holy Donut, you could get two $50 gift cards for $79.99.

sea salt lobster gift cards at costco
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

I’m sure there are other examples. But, boy was the store crowded so I did the best I could in reporting this update.

Reasons to join Costco

Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

My husband and I have been Costco members since 2015, even though we’re never lived super close to a Costco location. We find enough value in shopping at Costco that it is worth it to join versus other warehouse or wholesale clubs.

For example, did you know that Costco is the largest retailer of organic food in the United States? Yeah, you would think Whole Foods would be number one. But, no, Costco is.

Costco Membership Deal via Groupon

The best deal on a Costco Membership right now is through Groupon. When you sign up, you’ll get your one-year membership plus a $40 Costco Digital Shop Card for free.

In case you didn’t know, the Costco Shop Card is the store’s gift card. You can use it in store or online.

This offer is for new Costco memberships only or for former Costco members whose membership expired more than 18 months ago. So, if you’ve moved, there wasn’t a Costco nearby and you let your membership lapse for more than 18 months, you’re good to go to sign up for this deal again!

Also, you can avoid the lines at your Costco location by signing up for this Groupon Costco deal. This was the crowd at the new Costco in Maine near where I live. Yikes!

lines at costco on opening day
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

Terms and Conditions

  • After purchase you’ll receive an email from Costco confirming your membership details. To pick up your membership card, stop by the membership counter at any Costco location and bring a copy of that email with your photo ID. Incentive will be emailed within 2 weeks after sign-up to qualifying members.
  • You’re receiving a One-Year Costco Gold Star Membership
  • A membership card for the Primary Cardholder and one additional Household Card for anyone living at the same address, over the age of 16
  • A $40 Digital Costco Shop Card (valid at Costco locations and Costco.com)
  • Valid only for new members and those whose previous memberships (Primary and Household) have been expired for at least 18 months or more.
  • Please allow up to two hours to receive your confirmation email from Costco. You must have either your Costco or Groupon confirmation email to receive your physical membership card at a Costco location.
  • A physical membership card is not required to shop online or receive your incentives.
  • Incentive includes a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card
  • Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed within 2 weeks after sign-up to qualifying members.
  • Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed to the email address provided by the Primary Member at time of sign-up.
  • Not valid for the renewal of an existing Costco membership.
  • To purchase this package, you must be 18 years of age or over, and agree to Costco’s Membership Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
  • All sales final.
  • $40 Digital Costco Shop Card is not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Digital Costco Shop Cards are not accepted at Costco Gas Stations, Car Washes, or Food Court Kiosks.

Again, this a Groupon-only deal for a Costco membership.

Other warehouse club memberships

Perhaps you prefer to shop at another warehouse club because it is more convenient to where you live than Costco is. Good news: Both BJs and Sam’s Club have Groupon deals right now for memberships. Plus, both tend to have gas stations where members can get a cheaper price when filling up the gas tank.

Costco is always closed on holidays

Finally, Costco treats its employees well by closing on most major holidays. Every Costco I’ve ever visited has had the sign shown below. This is from the Scarborough store.

It shows the holidays when the store is closed and the employees have the day off.

costco closed holidays sign scarborough maine
Photo credit: Leah Ingram.

Overall thoughts about the Costco in Maine

Even though the Costco location was unbelievably crowded on opening day, it was super exciting to be there. And people were genuinely excited to finally be shopping in a Maine Costco.

I overheard everything from “It’s so big” to “I need to see everything” to “OMG, they have Uggs?”

Pro tip: don’t head out to Scarborough on a weekend day. That’s when Costco tends to be the most crowded overall. But if you can get there on a weekday, I think you’ll really love what you find there.

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Posted by Leah Ingram on February 15, 2025 | Updated February 15, 2025 Filed Under: Services · Shopping Bargains

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diane Sweeton says

    August 23, 2023 at 8:46 am

    Will the new Costco in Scarborough, ME have a liquor store?

    • Leah Ingram says

      August 23, 2023 at 9:49 am

      That’s a great question. I’ll reach out to them and ask and will let you know what I find out.

    • Jerry Mulvey says

      October 25, 2023 at 12:33 pm

      Do we know yet if new Costco in Maine will be selling berr, wine, and liquor?

      Thanks

      • Avatar photoWilliam Behre says

        October 25, 2023 at 4:54 pm

        Thanks for the question! We’ve asked Costco and they haven’t let us know yet. As soon as we know, we will update the post.

  2. Donna Burnell says

    September 11, 2023 at 10:21 am

    Will the new Costco in Scarborough have hearing aids?

    • Leah Ingram says

      September 11, 2023 at 11:47 am

      Great question. Let me check and see what I can find out.

      Leah

  3. Brendan says

    September 21, 2023 at 10:36 am

    Should I get my Costco card ahead of opening day or will there be any opening day new membership discounts I should wait for? I’m not a card holder yet but excited to be one.

    • Leah Ingram says

      September 21, 2023 at 10:38 am

      I don’t know about any opening-day promos. However, on my other blog, I have an article about current promos, if you want to check that out: https://www.leahingram.com/costco-membership-discount/

  4. Carol Townsend says

    September 30, 2023 at 8:45 pm

    Drove by yesterday (9/29)…Main building and gas station exteriors seem to be complete. Imagine October will be interior sheetrock, painting, floor, lighting, shelving….and stocking inventory. Amazing progress!! Where I spend winter there are 2 Costco, each less than 3 miles from my house. Have been shopping @ Danvers Costco…sooo looking forward to Scarborough opening!!

    • Leah Ingram says

      October 1, 2023 at 9:05 am

      Amazing! Sounds like I need to do another drive by to see the progress. We drove to the Costco in Nashua yesterday. It’s a Costco from the 1990s so much smaller, no gas station and really crowded. Can’t wait for Scarborough, too.

  5. Debra Pataky says

    October 16, 2023 at 3:00 pm

    I joined today through work. Gas opening Nov 1, and store opening Nov 17.

    • Leah Ingram says

      October 16, 2023 at 8:33 pm

      That’s an incredible update. Thanks so much.

  6. Gregory says

    November 20, 2023 at 7:52 am

    Crowds? What crowds? Costco ships!

  7. Kat says

    November 28, 2024 at 9:30 am

    Nice detailed article about the Scarborough Costco!

    Re: Maine-owned products in the store. They also carry Grandy Oats granola. Sadly, Tom’s of Maine is no longer a Maine-owned company.

    • Leah Ingram says

      November 29, 2024 at 8:55 am

      True. But they are still headquartered in Maine so that counts for something.

  8. Sue Jones says

    December 8, 2024 at 3:11 pm

    can I get a day pass so I can check it out? I don’t live in the area

    • Leah Ingram says

      December 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm

      I don’t believe they offer that.

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