Much-anticipated 2nd Costco store opens in Saskatoon

The wait is over for Saskatoon shoppers anticipating the launch of the city'ssecondCostco Wholesale store.

More than 100 people rushedthrough the doors when they opened at 8 a.m. CST,following a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Charlie Clark and Deputy Premier Don Morgan.

• New neighbourhood in Saskatoon to include a Costco

Thursday's launch of the wholesale retailerhas been long-awaitedby shoppers in the city, with complaints the existing store on Marquis Drive is too busy.

Mayor Charlie Clark described thenew store, located at 225 Market Drive in the Rosewood area, "as a beachhead for a new neighbourhood."

Plans to build the new store were announced last year after months of speculation.

Vancouver-based developer Arbutus Properties originally said it was unlikely the Rosewood neighbourhood would attract a second Costco store to the city.

But a few months later, in May, it confirmed that Costco would become the anchor store to its retail development in the area called the Meadows.