A proposal to establish a new Costco store at the long-vacant former Sears location in Greenbrier Mall, Chesapeake, is moving forward. The application, submitted by 1401 Greenbrier Parkway LLC, seeks a conditional use permit for a new Costco gas station on the site. If approved, the big-box retailer is expected to create approximately 200 jobs and attract around 7,000 customers daily, with an estimated 10% of those customers utilizing the gas station.
The proposed site plan indicates that the new building would be constructed separately from the existing mall facility. According to Jimmy McNamara, the director of the city’s planning department, the application is currently under review and is subject to revisions by the applicant. Notably, the matter is not scheduled for discussion in any upcoming meetings of the Planning Commission or City Council, and any actions regarding the gas station would require their approval.
The current zoning regulations allow for the construction of a warehouse store at this location without the need for special permits. Mike Sifen, president of Virginia Beach-based Sifen Inc., acquired most of the mall property for $22.35 million in an auction nearly a year ago. He purchased the former Sears site specifically for $6.8 million in 2022, as noted in city records. Attempts to reach Sifen or a representative from his company for further comments were unsuccessful as of Friday.
The Sears store in Greenbrier Mall closed its doors in March 2018, after serving as one of the original anchor stores since the mall’s opening in 1981. Mayor Rick West expressed optimism regarding the potential redevelopment of the mall, stating, “I’m very excited about it. Seeing the mall’s decline from its heyday has been heartbreaking.” He acknowledged that while a new Costco may not align perfectly with the community’s initial vision, it could catalyze further redevelopment efforts in the area.
The Greenbrier Mall property is included in a recently adopted area-wide redevelopment plan. Mayor West emphasized that community members will have the opportunity to voice their opinions once the conditional use permit for the gas station is presented to the City Council.
Costco currently operates two stores in the Hampton Roads region, located in Norfolk and Newport News. A new 152,000-square-foot warehouse center is underway to replace the existing Newport News location, which is expected to open in 2027. When contacted for comment, Costco Wholesale provided an automated response indicating that the company does not comment on new locations unless they are imminent.
The proposed development at Greenbrier Mall reflects broader trends in retail, as businesses adapt to changing consumer habits and seek to revitalize underutilized commercial spaces.
