Costco Business Center Guide

Costco Business Center Guide (2025): Locations, Hours, and 70% Different Items Explained

For millions around the world, a trip to Costco is a weekend ritual—a journey of giant carts, free samples, and bulk buys on everything from paper towels to peanut butter. But what if there was a different kind of Costco, one designed not for the family pantry but for the heart of an enterprise? A place where the samples are replaced with industrial-grade equipment and the cereal boxes are swapped with 50-pound sacks of rice?

Welcome to the Costco Business Center, the wholesale giant’s best-kept secret for entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, and small business owners. While they share the same membership card and value-driven DNA, the Business Center is a fundamentally different experience, tailored to drive commercial success.

This definitive 2025 guide will demystify the Costco Business Center. We’ll explore its unique identity, detail its current locations and hours, and do a deep dive into the fascinating array of products that make up its 70% unique inventory—items you’ll simply never find on a regular warehouse floor.

What Exactly is a Costco Business Center?

A Costco Business Center is a specialized branch of the Costco Wholesale corporation designed exclusively to cater to business owners. Think of your standard Costco as a wholesale supermarket for families; the Business Center is a wholesale supply depot for commerce.

The environment is purpose-built for efficiency. You won’t find the iconic food court, bakery, optical centers, or tire bays. Instead, you’ll find:

• Industrial-focused layout: Wider aisles to accommodate pallet jacks and large carts.

• Bulk-focused offerings: Products are sold in even larger, commercial-sized quantities.

• Specialized services: In-store experts, expanded delivery options, and resources tailored to business needs.

• A no-frills atmosphere: The focus is purely on procurement, not experience.

The core mission is to be a one-stop-shop for businesses to purchase their daily operational supplies, from food inventory to janitorial chemicals, at unmatched value.

Who is a Costco Business Center Membership For?

The beauty of the Business Center is that you don’t need a special membership. Your standard Costco Gold Star (Individual) or Executive Membership grants you full access. It’s designed for a wide spectrum of professionals:

• Restaurant & Café Owners: From fine dining to food trucks.

• Hotel & B&B Operators: Supplies for rooms, kitchens, and common areas.

• Office Managers: Stocking breakrooms, supply closets, and bathrooms.

• Convenience Store & Deli Owners: Snacks, drinks, and ready-to-eat foods for resale.

• Church & Non-Profit Administrators: Feeding and supplying large groups.

• Caterers & Event Planners: Sourcing ingredients and disposables for large events.

• Janitorial & Cleaning Services: Buying chemicals and equipment in bulk.

• Ambitious Home Cooks: While not the target, some home chefs love the professional-grade ingredients.

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Costco Business Center Locations and Hours (2025 Update)

As of early 2025, Costco Business Centers are a predominantly North American venture, with a significant and growing presence. Unlike regular warehouses that number in the hundreds, there are currently over 40 Business Centers across the United States, Canada, and a single location in the UK, serving as a testbed for international expansion.**

United States Locations

The U.S. has the highest concentration, strategically placed in major metropolitan areas to serve dense commercial markets.

Western U.S.

• Arizona: Phoenix (2 locations)

• California: Commerce, Hayward, San Diego (2 locations), San Fernando, Santa Fe Springs

• Colorado: Denver

• Nevada: Las Vegas (2 locations), North Las Vegas

• Oregon: Portland

• Utah: Salt Lake City

• Washington: Seattle (2 locations), Fife

Midwestern U.S.

• Illinois: Chicago (Bedford Park)

• Minnesota: Minneapolis (Brooklyn Park)

• Missouri: Kansas City (Independence)

• Ohio: Columbus

Southern U.S.

• Florida: Orlando

• Georgia: Atlanta (2 locations)

• Texas: Dallas, Houston (2 locations), San Antonio

Eastern U.S.

• Maryland: Baltimore (Jessup)

• New Jersey: Linden

• Pennsylvania: Philadelphia

Canada Locations

Canada boasts a strong network of Business Centers, primarily in its largest provinces.

• British Columbia: Burnaby, Richmond (2 locations)

• Alberta: Calgary, Edmonton

• Ontario: Toronto (Etobicoke, Scarborough, Vaughan), Ottawa, London

• Quebec: Montreal (2 locations), Quebec City

United Kingdom Location

Marking Costco’s first foray into a European Business Center format:

• England: London (Thurrock)

Disclaimer: This list is subject to change. Always check the official Costco Business Center location finder on Costco.com for the most up-to-date information before you travel.

Standard Operating Hours

A key difference from regular warehouses is the operating schedule. Business Centers align their hours with the workday.

• Monday – Friday: Typically 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Saturday: Typically 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Some locations may open at 7:00 a.m.)

• Sunday: Most locations are CLOSED.

Crucial Note: Hours can vary by location and season (e.g., holiday hours). It is absolutely essential to verify the hours of your specific Business Center on the Costco website or by calling ahead.

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The Crown Jewel: Understanding the “70% Different Items”

This is the most compelling reason to visit a Business Center. The claim that 70% of the items are different from a regular Costco is not just marketing—it’s a reality. This unique inventory is curated to meet the specific, often demanding, needs of commercial operations. Let’s break down these categories.

1. Food Service: The Heart of the Business Center

This is where restaurants and food-based businesses truly win. The selection goes far beyond the consumer-grade products found elsewhere.

• Meat & Poultry: Think whole case primals (like entire beef tenderloins), 40-pound boxes of chicken wings, ground beef in 10-pound chubs, and individually quick frozen (IQF) seafood in 5-10 pound bags. The variety of cuts is far more specialized.

• Produce: While a regular Costco sells lettuce in three-packs, the Business Center sells it by the full case. You’ll find 25-pound sacks of onions, 20-pound boxes of tomatoes, and giant tubs of pre-cut vegetables and salad mixes designed for high-volume kitchens.

• Dairy & Eggs: Industrial-sized blocks of cheese (10+ lbs), gallon-sized jugs of dressings and sauces, and eggs packed in flat trays of 15 dozen (180 eggs) instead of the standard 2-dozen cartons.

• Dry Goods: This is a game-changer. 50-pound bags of rice, flour, and sugar. Number-10 cans (the large ones you see in restaurants) of tomatoes, beans, fruits, and vegetables. Giant boxes of pasta, cooking oil by the gallon, and spices in containers measured in pounds, not ounces.

• Bakery & Prepared Foods: Huge bags of frozen dough, par-baked breads, and massive buckets of frosting and fillings. This section is a caterer’s dream.

2. Beverages: Beyond the Soda Aisle

The beverage section is a testament to the Business Center’s commercial focus.

• Energy & Soft Drinks: While you can find a 36-pack of soda at a regular warehouse, the Business Center sells them by the full and half case straight from the manufacturer’s packaging, often with easier-to-stack flat-top cans.

• Coffee & Tea: Commercial-grade whole bean coffee in 5-pound bags, industrial coffee filters, and liquid coffee concentrate in bags-in-box (BiB) for those large Curtis brewers you see in offices. Giant boxes of commercial tea bags.

• Water: A dizzying array of bottled water, from small packs to full pallets of individual bottles or 5-gallon jugs for water coolers.

3. Janitorial & Sanitation: The Unseen Workhorses

This section is a revelation for anyone responsible for cleaning anything larger than a standard home.

• Cleaning Chemicals: Industrial-strength concentrates for degreasers, disinfectants, floor cleaners, and glass cleaners that you dilute yourself, offering immense cost savings.

• Paper Products: Toilet paper and paper towels in massive, commercial-grade rolls designed for high-traffic restroom dispensers. They may not be as soft as the consumer brands, but they are incredibly cost-effective and durable.

• Equipment & Supplies: Commercial mop buckets and wringers, heavy-duty brooms and brushes, large jugs of hand soap, and air freshener refills for those automatic dispensers in public restrooms.

4. Office & Breakroom Supplies

While you can buy pens and paper at a regular Costco, the selection here is built for an entire office, not a home.

• Breakroom Essentials: Giant multi-packs of disposable cups, plates, bowls, and cutlery. Large canisters of coffee creamer, sweeteners, and condiment packets (ketchup, mustard, mayo) by the thousand.

• Office Essentials: Cases of printer paper, bulk packs of pens, highlighters, and notepads. You can buy binder clips and staples by the pound.

5. Packaging & Transportation

A category that simply doesn’t exist in a regular warehouse, tailored for retail and shipping businesses.

• Food Packaging: Clear deli containers in multiple sizes, aluminum takeout pans with lids, plastic clamshells for salads and sandwiches, and rolls of plastic wrap and butcher paper on a scale fit for a sub shop.

• Shipping Supplies: A wide variety of cardboard boxes in standard sizes, packing tape sold in multi-roll cases, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts.

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How to Shop at a Costco Business Center: A Strategy for Success

Walking into a Business Center for the first time can be overwhelming. Here’s how to navigate it like a pro.

1. Check Inventory Online First: The single most important tip. Use the Costco Business Center website to browse the inventory of your local store. You can see real-time pricing and availability, create a list, and even order for delivery. This prevents you from driving to the store for an item they don’t have.

2. Bring Your Membership Card: This is non-negotiable. You cannot enter or purchase without it.

3. Have a Business Need (or a Big Family): Be realistic about your storage space and consumption rates. A 50-pound bag of rice is a fantastic value, but only if you can use it before it goes bad or you have adequate storage.

4. Consider Delivery: For truly large orders (like a pallet of water or a full set of restaurant supplies), take advantage of their business delivery services. This can be a lifesaver if you don’t have a large vehicle.

5. Talk to the Experts: The staff at Business Centers are knowledgeable about the products they sell, especially in the food service and janitorial sections. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

The Verdict: Is a Costco Business Center Right for You?

The Costco Business Center is a powerful tool hidden in plain sight. It’s a testament to Costco’s deep understanding of its diverse membership base.

• For a Business Owner: It is an absolute must-visit. The savings on your core operational supplies can directly and significantly impact your bottom line. The convenience of one-stop shopping saves valuable time.

• For the Average Household: It’s a specialty destination. While there are deals to be found (especially on party supplies, beverages, or non-perishables), the quantities are often prohibitively large for a single family. However, if you have a deep freezer, a large pantry, or are planning a major event, it’s worth a trip to explore.

Ultimately, the Costco Business Center reinforces the core promise of Costco: delivering exceptional value. It just does so on a commercial, industrial scale. If you have a business to run—or just a serious passion for bulk—your Costco membership just became a whole lot more valuable. Find your nearest location and see for yourself what 70% different truly looks like.