After a decade of planning, Costco in Pleasanton will open the day before Thanksgiving. Despite the forecast storms, some shoppers began camping with tents and awnings a week in advance.
Jaison Lee is at the front of the line with his tent.
When asked if this was fun, he said, “Yes, it’s an adventure.”
Lee and his wife flew from Hawaii.
It turns out he’s no stranger to these kinds of adventures. CBS News Bay Area met him for the first time last month at the grand opening of the Costco store in Napa.
The weather was much better then.
The couple is on a mission.
“The mission is to see what liquor they have and what whiskey they have and try to get some good stuff,” he said.
CBS
CBS News Bay Area got a look inside the warehouse and was told the bourbon hasn’t arrived yet, but it will
Sean, who did not give his last name, said it was his first time camping for a grand opening like this.
“I’ll be here about 22 out of 24 hours every day and then I’ll take a nap on that blue excursion,” he said, pointing to his SUV parked in the parking lot.
Sean has also been busy responding to a loving text message from his wife. Understandable messages that say: “are you crazy” and “are you sure you want to do this?”
It may seem a bit extreme given the weather forecast, but they say the accommodations are great, even for beginners.
One camper said, “Good things come to those who wait. Happy Black Friday.”
So, what exactly are the good things? According to Sean, “I hear they have great deals on kayaks and benches.”
It seems there is a shared motivation according to Sean: “It’s mainly the experience and it’s also the opportunity to buy some bottles that you don’t have to pay too much for, like bourbon and whiskey.”
Only six more nights of camping to go.
The Pleasanton will be the third Costco in the Tri-Valley.
Juliette Goodrich
