At least on the retail front, Rochester is really showing its prowess. First a Trader Joe's two years ago, now a Costco, which opened today in northwest Rochester.

It is the warehouse chain's first store in southern Minnesota and only its second Minnesota store outside of the Twin Cities metro area. It opened one in Baxter last month, missing the summer lakes crowds, but just in time to fill all those ice fishing huts with its bulk goods. The 140,000 square foot store includes a tire store, gas station, optical center, liquor store, gas station and the normal array of groceries, electronics, jewelry and furniture. Here's the Post-Bulletin's story on the opening. ________________________ News tip? Email us at DatelineMN@startribune.com Follow us on Twitter: @DatelineMN