A significant development is underway in Chesapeake, Virginia, as plans emerge for a new Costco store to potentially replace the long-vacant former Sears at Greenbrier Mall. The property owner, 1401 Greenbrier Parkway LLC, has submitted a conditional use permit application to construct not only the big-box store but also a gas station. This proposal could bring substantial economic benefits to the area, with plans to hire approximately 200 employees and anticipate around 7,000 daily customers, 10% of whom would utilize the gas station facilities.
The application is currently under review, according to Jimmy McNamara, the director of the city’s planning department. He indicated that the site plan includes a new building situated separately from the existing mall structure. McNamara noted, “The application is under review and revisions are being made by the applicant.” Notably, there are no upcoming Planning Commission or City Council meetings scheduled for this matter at present, although the gas station proposal will require action from these bodies.
Under current zoning regulations, a warehouse store can be constructed at the site without additional approvals. The property was recently acquired by Mike Sifen, president of Sifen Inc., who purchased most of the mall at auction for $22.35 million nearly a year ago. This includes the $6.8 million acquisition of the former Sears property in 2022, as confirmed by city records.
The closure of the Sears in 2018 marked a significant change for the mall, which originally opened its doors in 1981 with Sears as one of its anchor stores. Mayor Rick West expressed optimism about the proposal, stating, “I’m very excited about it,” while reflecting on the mall’s decline over the years. “Seeing the mall’s decline from its heyday has been heartbreaking,” he added.
The potential redevelopment aligns with a recently adopted areawide redevelopment plan for Greenbrier. While Mayor West acknowledged that a new Costco may not be the ideal outcome envisioned, he believes it will serve as a catalyst for further developments in the area, saying, “I think it will help spur further redevelopment there.” He assured the public that there will be opportunities to provide input when the conditional use permit for the gas station is brought before the City Council.
Costco currently operates two stores in the Hampton Roads area, located in Norfolk and Newport News. Plans are also in motion for a new 152,000-square-foot warehouse center to replace the existing Newport News location, expected to open in 2027.
In response to inquiries about the new location, Costco Wholesale provided an automated response, stating that they “cannot comment on new locations unless they are opening soon.” The proposed Costco at Greenbrier Mall represents a significant step in revitalizing the area and potentially attracting more businesses to the region.
