08/27/2026
You know how trying to grab cheap gas at the C**n Rapids Costco at times means sitting in a traffic gridlock nightmare that tests your sanity? Relief is officially locked in, and a familiar local restaurant location will be completely unrecognizable after this project is completed. 
The vacant TGI Fridays at Riverdale Village has been completely leveled. But what happened to Fridays, and are they all disappearing?
The Rise and Fall of TGI Fridays
Founded back in 1965 in New York City, TGI Fridays invented the modern singles-bar culture, eclectic brass-and-fern decor, and an iconic potato skin legacy. Unfortunately, the brand hit a massive wall. Hit hard by financial strains and subsequent Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, the chain plummeted from roughly 270 locations down to a tiny fraction of its former self, with widespread corporate and franchise closures wiping out locations nationwide—including local Minnesota spots like St. Louis Park and Edina, followed eventually by the empty shell at Riverdale.
Enter Costco: The $5.5 Million Takeover
Rather than letting the prime 2.54-acre restaurant parcel sit vacant, neighboring Costco Wholesale swooped in, officially recording a $5.5 million cash acquisition for the land. The master plan approved by the C**n Rapids City Council is to completely absorb the former restaurant footprint to radically super-size and relocate its cramped fuel station.
What’s Happening to the Old Fuel Station?
The existing 10-pump fuel station on the northeast side near Northdale Boulevard will be completely decommissioned and removed, replaced entirely by the brand-new mega-station on the southwest corner. There will not be two stations; the old footprint is being entirely phased out for this massive upgrade:
Double the Pumps: Expanding from 10 pumps (20 cars) to 20 pumps servicing 40 vehicles simultaneously.
Massive Queue Relief: Space to hold roughly 84 idling vehicles on-site, keeping lines completely off main drive aisles and away from Northdale Boulevard.
Bonus Parking: Ripping down the old restaurant makes room for about 128 brand-new parking stalls, bringing total warehouse parking up to roughly 800 spaces.
The Timeline
Late 2024: TGI Fridays shutters permanently during corporate restructuring.
September 2025: The C**n Rapids City Council officially approves the Planned Unit Development (PUD) allowing the parcels to merge.
July 14, 2026: Costco officially closes and records the $5.5 million deed for the property.
Current Status (Fall 2026): The building is completely demolished, and the site is working through final engineering, environmental reviews, and formal permitting before heavy construction kicks off.
It’s an absolute game-changer for Riverdale traffic and a massive win for anyone trying to fill up their tank without losing their mind. 
