Is Costco finally coming to Rhode Island?

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Could Rhode Island finally be getting its first Costco?

The new ownership group behind Providence Place has held early discussions with Costco about potentially bringing the wholesale retailer to the downtown mall, according to The Providence Journal.

Developer Joe Paolino, whose Paolino Properties is part of the group that recently purchased Providence Place, confirmed that conversations with Costco have taken place. The talks are still in the early stages, and no agreement has been announced.

The possibility comes as the mall’s new owners look at ways to bring new businesses and additional activity to Providence Place.

This isn’t the first time Costco has been considered for Rhode Island. Several years ago, plans surfaced for a Costco in Cranston, including a proposal involving the Mulligan’s Island property. Another proposal later emerged for property in Cranston’s Howard Industrial Park, but Costco ultimately did not move forward with a Rhode Island location.

Providence Place would also be much different from Costco’s traditional warehouse stores, which are typically large, stand-alone locations. The possibility of an urban-style Costco that could work within the mall has been discussed.

Rhode Island remains one of only a few states without a Costco.

For now, nothing is official and the discussions remain preliminary.

Would you like to see Costco at Providence Place? Is downtown Providence a location you would actually travel to and shop at, or would you rather see Rhode Island’s first Costco somewhere else?