What to expect when Middle Georgia’s first BJ’s Wholesale Club opens in Warner Robins
A BJ’s Wholesale Club under construction in Warner Robins is expected to be completed this summer.
The club is going up at 6201 Watson Blvd. on a nearly 21-acre site in Peach County that’s been annexed by the city of Warner Robins, according to the site plan.
The building, which will house groceries, retail merchandise, a tire center and optical services, has a footprint of 104,170-square-feet plus a 2,267-square-foot breezeway and a 2,204-square-foot mezzanine, the site plan shows.
The site also will include a BJ’s Wholesale Club gas station with eight pumps as well as 582 club parking spaces, with 12 handicap spots along the breezeway and most parking spaces within 300 feet of the building, according to the site plan.
An opening date for the new club has not been announced yet but the building and site work are targeted to be completed by the end of June, said Brian Lambert, senior site superintendent for Builtech, which is doing the site work.
Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said the city is ready to welcome the BJ’s team with “open arms.”
“Our residents have eagerly awaited the arrival of a wholesale club, and seeing the site take shape brings us closer to that reality,” reads part of a statement from Patrick. “The collaboration between Warner Robins and Peach County continues to drive opportunities for our region, reinforcing our commitment to growth and prosperity.
“We look forward to the jobs, investment and convenience BJ’s will bring. ... We are forever grateful that BJ’s entrusts our community with their investment. The added jobs and lifelong memories BJ’s will bring to our great city are invaluable. “
What to expect
Similar to Sam’s Club and Costco, BJ’s requires a club membership to make in-store purchases. The club also offers a free one-day online shopping pass.
BJ’s offers fresh foods, produce, household essentials, home decor, TVs and electronics, pet supplies, children’s toys and more. The club is also known for its assortment of seasonal finds. Additionally, most BJ’s have a full-service deli and bakery.
BJ’s bills itself to offer daily savings of up to 25% off grocery store prices, according to its website. The club also offers its own coupons and accepts manufacturers’ coupons.
In addition to in-club shopping, BJ’s features curbside pickup, in-club pickup and standard delivery from bjs.com. Most BJ’s also offer same-day delivery for a fee.
In-store shoppers also have the option of using the club’s express pay which allows members to scan most items as they shop, pay through the BJ’s mobile app and avoid the checkout line. Some restrictions apply.
Additionally, the company is adding tap-and-pay technology to all of its gas stations. BJ’s members can pay for their gas using the tap function of their credit or debit card or with digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. The feature is already available for in-store club purchases.
The Warner Robins location will be the first BJ’s in Middle Georgia and the seventh in the state. Middle Georgia also has one competing wholesale club: a Sam’s Club in Macon.
Headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, BJ’s has a total of 250 clubs, 186 gas stations, 7.5 million members, 34,000 employees and $20 billion in annual total revenue, according to its website Friday.
BJ’s already has started hiring for some positions, with a career page with openings posted on its website as the jobs become available.
How many people a club employs varies based on size and offerings, but an average based on total employees divided by the number of clubs is about 136 people per club. The new Warner Robins club will be slightly larger than the McDonough club, which opened in February 2023 as the sixth BJ’s in Georgia.
BJ’s neighbors
The new BJ’s is part of a large-scale development that includes a huge luxury apartment complex and a car wash.
Legends at Town Place is also under construction at 100 Legends Place Drive and expected to open in the winter of 2025.
The complex will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes with 9-foot ceilings, ceiling fans, faux wood blinds, nest thermostats, garden tubs a gourmet kitchen with an island and stainless steel GE appliances, built-in microwaves, a washer and dryer, walk-in closet and more, according to its website.
Amenities include gated access, a cyber cafe with a kitchen and coffee bar, a car-care center, a salt water pool, a splash pad, grilling and picnic areas, a fitness center with a yoga room, a pet spa and leash-free pet park and more.
Mako Bay of Warner Robins at 6151 Watson Blvd. is already open. The car wash offers various wash packages and monthly plans. All car washes include access to vacuum stations, towels and window cleaner.
The development is about one mile east of Exit 146 off Interstate 75.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM.