LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- With Sears shutting down, rumors are flying about a possible Costco coming to Little Rock.
There has been no official announcement of the retail giant opening, but this isn't the first time Costco has been rumored to be scouting property in the Little Rock area. But this time the potential location has a broader appeal to the public: the closing Sears store on South University.
The store is set to close in July. Lance Turner, Online Editor for Arkansas Business, says the new tenant is still unknown.
"If Costco were to come to Little Rock that would probably be one that they were looking at."
Turner says the property is centrally located and exist in the growing mid-town area, with easy access to the interstate.
"A lot of folks see that site setting there just crying out for something new and interesting to come along. People start dreaming and the skies the limit on what could go there."
A real estate broker who represents the group that owns the Sears property, says the investment group has been looking at options for the property, but there’s still no deal to announce.
"We don't know yet because the company never really comments on future stores that it may or may not be considering."
“Business is business” is Turner's reaction to Costco staying away because this is Walmart's home turf.
It was long thought the store would never open an Arkansas location for that reason.
"These chains are growing so much and always looking for new places to grow that I don't think that any kind of gentleman's agreement in terms of being in your own backyard really would apply anymore."
Although no one confirmed a Costco is coming, Turner says interest in the store is already here.
"There's always these stores. For a lot of years it was the Apple Store and finally it happened. Eventually we get these things, but until we get them we sort of sit around and kind of fantasize about the things we don't have."
The city of Little Rock says Costco has not filed any building permits with them, and Little Rock is not listed on Costco's website as a future location.