WinCo Foods is preparing to expand its Colorado footprint with a proposed location in Thornton. A pre-application submitted to the city outlines plans for an 84,000-square-foot grocery store near the southeast corner of East 164th Avenue and Washington Street.
The employee-owned chain is known for warehouse-style stores, low pricing, and bulk product offerings. If approved, the Thornton site would be one of the largest grocery builds in the region in recent years.
Project Location and Site Transformation Over Time
The targeted site sits just south of the Larkridge Shopping Center and directly east of a Discount Tire on Washington Street. The land remains undeveloped but includes road infrastructure, sidewalks, and traffic signals.
Historical satellite imagery from 2002 shows wide open fields and sparse structures. By 2024, nearby retail had rapidly expanded with major brands like The Home Depot and Living Spaces occupying parcels to the west and north. The area now serves as a northern gateway to Thornton and continues to attract commercial interest.
To proceed, the site—currently zoned as a business park—will need to be rezoned to regional commercial. Thornton’s zoning rules do not currently allow grocery stores larger than 3,500 square feet in this area.
About WinCo and Its Expansion in Colorado
Founded in 1967 as Waremart, WinCo Foods rebranded in 1999 and has since grown across the western U.S. The company operates on an employee-ownership model and runs more than 140 stores nationwide.
Alongside the Thornton proposal, WinCo recently acquired land for another future store in Firestone, Colorado. That property was purchased for $3.6 million in early 2025, showing the brand’s growing interest in the Denver metro region.
In Thornton, city officials confirmed early discussions are ongoing but no formal timeline has been announced. The project still requires zoning approval and further planning before construction can begin.
Last Updated on March 27, 2025 by F.E.M