Friends and I once launched a letter and email campaign to try and convince Trader Joe’s to open a store in La Crosse. We do have an Aldi’s there. The situation is exactly the same as Costco. TJ’s are in Rochester and Madison. They told us they had no plans at all to open in La Crosse.
They must have income/demographic models and cut offs.
Years ago, one girlfriend and I would make the drive to Madison (100 miles each way)about 2x a year to shop. In the past few years, it just became more expensive than it was worth.
Not just income/demographics - population as well.