# Costco becomes unexpected dating spot

> Costco's food court samples help Americans find love in a digital age
- Title: Costco becomes unexpected dating spot · Fox News | Shortify
- Summary: Costco's food court samples help Americans find love in a digital age Costco's sampling and shared spaces create in-person connections where digital…
- Keywords: costco, food court, sampling, in-person connection, nfl, seahawks, seattle, news, politics, becomes, unexpected, dating
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/food-drink/costcos-unexpected-new-role-americans-love-lives-secret-sauce-sampling
- Author: Teresa Mull
- Published: 2026-09-17T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: costco, food court, sampling, in-person connection, nfl, seahawks, seattle, news, politics
## Costco as third place
Costco has become a 'third place' where people build community outside home and work.

> Costco has turned shopping into an experience, not just an errand
## Students meet at Costco
UC Davis students organize food court meals to meet friends once or twice a quarter.

> If something small like a Costco trip can help someone meet new friends
## Influencers trade dinners
Social media influencers skip expensive dinners for Costco meal prep and $3 fro yo.

> Especially in this economy, instead of going out and dropping $200 on dinner
## Veterans find community
Military veterans meet at Costco for over 25 years, forming a support group for service members.

> Nobody cares what rank you were or what service you were in
## Couples use Costco dates
Some couples call their shopping trips 'clubbing for married folks' or 'Kirkland Signature date nights'.

> Costco creates a kind of retail ritual: the treasure hunt, the samples, the food court
## Costco's social impact
Americans spend fewer minutes socializing daily, with Costco shoppers averaging 31 trips annually.

> Costco shoppers are loyal, averaging 31 trips to the warehouse annually
## Key takeaway

Costco's sampling and shared spaces create in-person connections where digital interactions fall short