CYN, during summer that cooler room at Costco is my favorite place to be when out shopping!! During winter, it sets off MS symptoms for me. Especially vertigo and leg spasms!!
Costco originally was known as Price-Club. We joined them in 1985 in Omaha, NE. A few years later they changed the name.
The only BJs I have been in was in Fairfax, VA. At the time I didn't see enough difference in them and Costco to add the membership cost to our budget.
Now we use both Sam's (mainly for gas because it is closer) and Costco (I like the Kirkland brands and their optical dept).