WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS.

Representatives from BJ’s Wholesale Club hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new location at Springfield Crossing. The store is expected to open later this year.
Reminder Publishing photo by Ryan Feyre

SPRINGFIELD — BJ’s Wholesale Club officially broke ground at 1655 Boston Rd. on July 8, just a few weeks after announcing its plans to open the new store later this year.

In an announcement to the media, the club said it will be the Massachusetts-based company’s first new location in its home state in 13 years.

“We’re thrilled to be back opening a new club in our home state,” said Briana Keene, the senior manager of external communications at BJ’s, in an interview. “We’re really excited to provide unbeatable value, convenience and assortment to this community here in Springfield.”

Keene said when it opens, the Springfield location will partner with The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts by donating produce, meat, dairy products and more each week. According to the store’s announcement, the partnership continues BJ’s lineage of working with local food banks to help provide meals to those in need.

“We really do pride ourselves in partnering with food banks and other local community partners for those who need it the most in the community,” Keene said. “So, it really makes us proud that we’re able to give back, especially on the weekly basis, to that food bank, to those in need in the community.”

The new location will be one of 25-30 new clubs expected to open across the country over the next two fiscal years, according to the company, and Keene anticipates that the Springfield location will create 100-150 jobs.

According to Keene, the company was founded in Medford 40 years ago and currently has clubs in 21 states across the country.

She said there is no concrete opening date for the Springfield location at this time.

Other news

BJ’s is the first store to break ground at the Springfield Crossing location. Other stores are listed inside the promotional materials for the project, including PetSmart, Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, Carter’s, Skechers and Chipotle.

Additionally, spokespeople from Target and La-Z-Boy confirmed to Reminder Publishing earlier this year that new stores are coming to the former Eastfield Mall location. The La-Z-Boy spokesperson said in January that a new store is expected to open in winter 2027, while the Target spokesperson did not divulge an opening date for its new spot.

“We’re excited to bring an easy, affordable and convenient shopping experience to new guests in the Springfield community with this new Target store,” said a spokesperson from the store. “Located at Boston Road and ½ mile east of Parker Street and Highway 21, the store will be approximately 128,000 square feet.”

On June 2, the Springfield City Council voted unanimously to establish a 34-acre development district on the 1655 Boston Rd. land and commit $8 million to the district to help pay extraordinary development costs incurred by the project.

During the meeting, developers of the project said completion will be done in phases. The first phase, valued at $77 million, includes the opening of seven stores this fall and a Target in the first quarter of 2026.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the project will include 50 housing units and then a third phase will feature some type of commercial development.

rfeyre@thereminder.com |  + posts