Potential Archaeological Find Halts New Fresko Supermarket Next to Costco
For 10 years, Costco has had its parking-lot cenote. And its would-be rival next door may have something even bigger. Maybe too big.
Construction of a new Fresko supermarket in northern Mérida has become the center of speculation after TikTok users documented what appears to be ancient stone foundations at the building site. The discovery was made public when users @mariomendicuti and @oswaldomatu posted videos showing stone structures they believed could be archaeological remains at the property at Colonia Revolución.
The location is strategically significant for retail competition in Mérida. The new Fresko supermarket is being built directly adjacent to the existing Costco, positioning the two major retailers side by side on Calle 60 Norte near the Progreso highway exit.
What Was Actually Found?
The stone foundations have generated considerable debate about their true origin. While the initial posts suggested possible archaeological significance, local residents and online commenters have proposed alternative explanations that may be more mundane but equally historically interesting.
Several users have suggested the foundations could be remnants of a bridge that once connected the residential area with nearby factories. Others believe they might be the foundation remains of old Cordemex warehouses that operated in the area for decades. Cordemex, the state-owned henequen processing company, had extensive operations throughout northern Mérida and maintained numerous warehouse facilities in the region.
The area around Colonia Revolución has a complex history of industrial and residential development. If the foundations are indeed related to Cordemex operations, they would represent an important piece of Yucatán’s 20th-century industrial heritage, though perhaps not the ancient Maya archaeology initially suspected.
Plans for a Mérida Fresko
The Fresko supermarket represents a substantial investment of 850 million pesos, making it part of La Comer’s expansion strategy into the Yucatán market. This will be the first Fresko location in Mérida, bringing the upscale grocery chain to compete directly with established retailers in the region’s most affluent commercial corridor. The growing northern Mérida market is an area that has become increasingly important for commercial development.
According to Mérida Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada, the project is expected to generate 350 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs, representing a significant employment opportunity for the northern part of the city. The store is part of a larger 900 million peso investment package that includes multiple retail developments throughout Mérida.
The company has positioned itself as committed to sustainability, incorporating water capture systems, efficient resource use, and green areas that exceed legal requirements. This environmental focus aligns with Mérida’s urban development goals, though the potential archaeological discovery has introduced an unexpected complication to the construction timeline.
Retail Competition in Northern Mérida
The choice of location next to Costco appears deliberate, as La Comer seeks to establish Fresko as a premium alternative in Mérida’s most successful commercial zone. Costco has operated successfully in the location for several years, drawing customers from throughout the metropolitan area and establishing the corridor as a destination for bulk shopping and warehouse-style retail.
Fresko’s business model differs significantly from Costco’s membership-based warehouse approach. As an upscale supermarket chain, Fresko targets affluent shoppers seeking premium products, fresh prepared foods, and a more traditional grocery shopping experience. So the Chedraui supermarkets also expanding north of Centro may have more to worry about than the US-based warehouse chain.
The northern corridor of Mérida, particularly along the Progreso highway, has become the city’s primary zone for large-format retail development. The area’s accessibility, proximity to affluent neighborhoods, and available land have made it attractive for major retailers seeking to establish flagship locations in the Yucatán capital.
Construction Delays and Uncertainty
Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has not issued an official statement regarding the discovery, leaving uncertainty about whether construction can proceed as planned. The TikTok users specifically called on INAH to investigate the site and determine whether the foundations represent significant archaeological or historical remains.
This uncertainty creates potential complications for La Comer’s expansion timeline and investment plans. Major retail projects typically operate on tight schedules, and any delay for archaeological assessment could impact the store’s planned opening date and the associated job creation timeline.
The situation highlights the challenges of major construction projects in Mérida, where the intersection of ancient history, colonial development, and modern industrial activity creates complex layers beneath virtually any building site. Even if the foundations prove to be 20th-century industrial remains rather than ancient archaeology, they may still require proper documentation and preservation consideration.
If INAH determines the foundations require preservation or further study, La Comer may need to redesign the store layout or potentially relocate the project entirely.
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