Honestly, if you've ever tried to fight the weekend crowds at the Harrisburg or Lancaster warehouses, you know the struggle. It’s a specific kind of chaos. But that changed recently when Costco finally planted its flag in Silver Spring Township. The massive 161,163-square-foot store in Cumberland County isn't just another place to buy 30-roll packs of toilet paper; it’s a massive shift for the West Shore’s retail landscape.
People have been asking for this for years. Literally years. Ron Lemen, the general manager of the new location, used to run the Harrisburg store and said the most common question he got for nearly a decade was, "When are you opening on the West Shore?" Well, the doors are open now at 6719 Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg, and the scale of the place is kind of hard to wrap your head around until you’re standing in the middle of the rotisserie chicken aisle.
Breaking Down the 161,163-Square-Foot Footprint
The sheer size of this thing is what everyone keeps talking about. At exactly 161,163 square feet, it’s a beast. For context, the average Costco warehouse usually hovers around 145,000 square feet. This extra breathing room isn't just for show; it’s designed to handle a level of volume that would make a normal grocery store crumble.
What does that extra space actually get you?
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- More Chicken Power: They’ve installed extra rotisserie chicken ovens. It sounds like a small detail, but if you’ve ever waited in a huddle for the next batch of $4.99 birds to come out, you know this is a game-changer.
- The Bakery Upgrade: There’s an additional baking oven specifically to keep up with high-demand items like those legendary pumpkin pies during the holidays.
- Wider Aisles: Even with the "treasure hunt" pallets in the middle, the floor plan feels less like a mosh pit.
The project wasn't exactly a breeze to build, though. Construction hit a pretty major snag when crews started digging and found a massive amount of rock during the excavation process. That discovery actually pushed the grand opening back from its original target. It turns out that building a 161,163-square-foot store in Cumberland County requires moving a lot more than just dirt when the Pennsylvania geography decides to be stubborn.
The Infrastructure Flip: More Than Just a Parking Lot
You can’t just drop a 161,163-square-foot warehouse into a township and expect traffic to stay the same. It doesn't work that way. The site sits on about 18 acres right across from the Cumberland Valley School District complex. If you’ve ever driven near the high school during drop-off or pick-up, you already know the traffic is "special."
To keep the Carlisle Pike from becoming a permanent parking lot, the developer and the township had to get creative. They added a new traffic light at the intersection of Hempt Road and Roaring Fork Road. But the most interesting part is actually underground.
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By 2027, there’s going to be a pedestrian tunnel connecting the Cumberland Valley High School campus directly to the new development area. This isn't just for safety; it’s a direct pipeline for student employment. You only have to be 16 to work at Costco, and being able to walk under the road to get to your shift is a pretty sweet setup for local kids.
Why Some Plans Failed While This One Succeeded
It’s worth noting that not every "Cumberland County" Costco rumor ends in a ribbon-cutting. Down in Fayetteville, North Carolina (which is also in a Cumberland County), a major Costco project actually fell through a few years back.
That store was supposed to be about 151,000 square feet in the Military Business Park. The community was hyped, site plans were filed, and soil testing was done. Then, the Costco board basically pulled the plug. Dohn Broadwell, the developer there, noted that construction costs and local market shifts probably killed the deal. It’s a stark reminder that these massive warehouses aren't a sure thing until the concrete is poured.
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In the Pennsylvania case, the local government was much more aggressive. They even changed a township ordinance specifically to accommodate Costco’s gas station. The new rule set a 300-foot minimum distance from fuel pumps to schools and hospitals, which cleared the way for the 24-pump fueling station that’s now a staple of the Mechanicsburg site.
What This Means for Your Next Shopping Trip
If you're planning to head over, don't just wing it. The "new store energy" is still very much a thing, and the crowds reflect that. The gas station alone is a massive draw, offering 24 dispensers, which is significantly more than most local stations.
Here are the boots-on-the-ground details you need:
- Hours: They’re open 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM on weekdays, but Executive Members can get in at 9:00 AM. If you hate lines, that hour is your best friend.
- Access: Don't try to turn left where you aren't supposed to. Use the Hempt Road or Lexus Lane entrances. The township is watching the traffic patterns like a hawk.
- Specialties: Because this is a newer, larger build, they carry high-end "boutique" items you might not find at older warehouses. We're talking Burberry coats and high-end electronics that usually only hit the flagship-style stores.
The arrival of the 161,163-square-foot store in Cumberland County is basically the final boss of the Carlisle Pike's retail transformation. With the neighboring 450-acre Hempt property also slated for development, this area is going to look completely different in five years.
Actionable Takeaways for Locals
- Check the App First: Costco has been rolling out new digital tools in 2026, including better inventory tracking. Check if the Mechanicsburg site has that specific item in stock before you make the trek.
- Avoid the "School Rush": Until that pedestrian tunnel is finished in 2027, try to avoid the area between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM. The combination of high schoolers and shoppers is a recipe for a headache.
- Consider the Upgrade: If you're spending enough to justify a 160,000-square-foot store's worth of goods, the Executive Membership's 2% reward usually pays for itself within a few months of bulk buying.