A planned virtual meeting between Warwick officials and representatives of Costco was canceled by the wholesale chain at the last minute on Thursday.
Mayor Frank Picozzi says the company was put off by what they termed a quote, "media frenzy."
Picozzi has been interested in having the company place a store in the city for years, but Costco had declined an available site three years ago.
Other Rhode Island cities have courted Costco: Smithfield has expressed interest in a store, and discussions with Cranston officials opened a few weeks ago, but appear to have not progressed.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News / Getty Images