Lined up like they were hoping to score Taylor Swift tickets or the latest iPhone release, the crowd arrived well ahead of the formal ribbon cutting ceremony and official opening of the doors to the Costco store in Riverbank.

The new mode of shopping arrived in the City of Action last week, with the grand opening of the new Costco Wholesale members-only market, the first store in the still-being-developed Crossroads West shopping center.

City officials and other dignitaries welcomed Costco management and crew on Thursday, June 13, just ahead of the ribbon cutting at the main entrance. A large crowd had gathered, on both sides of the doorway, to be there when it opened. Some, it was noted, had been in line since the day before.

City Council members stretched the red ribbon across the entrance, while store management representatives cut it, with most of the huge staff watching from just inside the store. Although the ceremony was scheduled for 7:30 a.m., with a planned opening for 8 a.m., the actual cutting was quite brief, and people were allowed in starting just about at the half hour.

After membership cards were checked, once inside, shoppers scattered to the four corners, looking for what they needed to buy. Although the ‘footprint’ of the interior of the Riverbank store is the reverse of that at the long-operating Pelandale location in Modesto, shoppers should be able to locate what they’re looking for and will likely quickly learn the layout.

The gas station there, located out in the parking lot, also opened and was actually operating the day before the store opening.

Regular hours at the store will be 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.