Retail warehouse giant to come to Lake Forest

  • 2026-02-19
Costco is planning to build a new warehouse in Lake Forest. The site development of the store has been approved by the Lake Forest Planning Commission.

This will be the 14th location of the retail giant in Orange County. To build the new warehouse, the company will demolish the Regal Cinemas that has been closed for some time at Foothill Ranch Towne Centre. It will be on a site of 16 acres that will include the former entertainment establishment and its parking lot. This store will be slightly larger than a standard Costco, which is around 140,000 square feet, and will have a tire center, food court, seasonal outdoor sales, and other offerings.

Banner printing is often used at such sites to inform residents of retail establishments planned for a community.

Costco is known for offering food samples, bulk-sized goods, and a dining deal of $1.50 for a drink and a hot dog. Its warehouses can often bring in significant sales tax revenues generated by the store. Annual sales can be over $250m.

Currently, the nearest Costco in the area can be found about 12 miles away in Irvine. A store in Lake Forest would shorten the drive for shoppers not just in Lake Forest itself, but also in parts of Mission Viejo, the Saddleback foothills, and Rancho Santa Margarita.