OCONOMOWOC, Wis. — Costco has applied to build on approximately 23 acres of vacant land at Pabst Farms in Oconomowoc.
City officials received the application on April 17. The proposed location sits north of Interstate 94 near County Highway P, in the business park area of the 1,500-acre Pabst Farms development.
Mark Miner, who works in Oconomowoc, said the project makes sense given the area's recent growth.
“When I started working in Oconomowoc from Dousman, there was one stoplight. Now there’s 10,” Miner said. “We’re big Costco fans. It just saves us 15 minutes of driving. Anything along the interstate is going to grow.”
Bethany Dindorf, who moved to Oconomowoc a year ago, said the store would be convenient.
“We love Costco,” Dindorf said. “They have it all. You get so much for a good price. That’s what attracted us here — it’s up and coming, it’s growing, and everyone loves Costco. We wouldn’t have to drive 20 minutes to Pewaukee.”
The application follows a series of recent developments at Pabst Farms, including a $189 million Aurora Medical Center, Fleet Farm, Metro Market, Starbucks, and a 115,000-square-foot YMCA. The city has marketed the site as a mixed-use community with commercial, residential, and medical facilities.
Watch: Residents split on Costco coming to Oconomowoc
Mayor Robert P. Magnus said interest from a national retailer like Costco aligns with the city's long-term development goals.
“The Oconomowoc community continues to grow with new residents and consumers, so it is a positive step for the overall Pabst Farms Development,” Magnus said.
Not all residents support the expansion. Ann Kratzer, who has lived in Oconomowoc for more than 50 years, expressed concern about continued development.
“I like it at this population. I don’t want it to keep growing,” Kratzer said. “There used to be nothing here. I went to a grade school across the street — it’s not there anymore. Now there’s a Qdoba.”
City officials have not announced a timeline for construction or opening. The application remains under review.
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