Costco in Clermont

[Lancer]

Costco in Clermont opening Tuesday November 14.
Access Denied (https://www.costco.com/new-opening-clermont.html).

[Stu from NYC]

In about 3 years one will open close to the villages

[ThirdOfFive]

Costco in Clermont opening Tuesday November 14.
Access Denied (https://www.costco.com/new-opening-clermont.html).
Good news! We've gone to the Costco in Altamonte Springs but it is just too far. We shop Sam's here: quality a bit lower but it is much more convenient.

[NoMo50]

The new Costco in Clermont will be our "go-to." According to Google Maps, that store will be about a 35 minute drive for us. That's about 20 minutes closer than the Wesley Chapel store. But, there are a lot of other great shopping choices in the Wesley Chapel area.

FWIW, Costco membership has other benefits besides shopping in store or online. One of them is using Costco Travel. As an example, we went on an 18-day cruise out of Sydney this past spring. We booked the cruise directly with Celebrity, and then transferred the booking to Costco Travel (which costs nothing). Costco was able to get us a couple of rate reductions prior to the cruise, which again cost us nothing and only saved money. After we completed the cruise, we received a $680.00 Costco cash card. That, my friends, is pretty hard to beat.

[coffeebean]

The new Costco in Clermont will be our "go-to." According to Google Maps, that store will be about a 35 minute drive for us. That's about 20 minutes closer than the Wesley Chapel store. But, there are a lot of other great shopping choices in the Wesley Chapel area.

FWIW, Costco membership has other benefits besides shopping in store or online. One of them is using Costco Travel. As an example, we went on an 18-day cruise out of Sydney this past spring. We booked the cruise directly with Celebrity, and then transferred the booking to Costco Travel (which costs nothing). Costco was able to get us a couple of rate reductions prior to the cruise, which again cost us nothing and only saved money. After we completed the cruise, we received a $680.00 Costco cash card. That, my friends, is pretty hard to beat.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Costco.

[Stu from NYC]

We have belonged to Sams for many years and joined BJ a year ago.

When Costco opens will have a big decision as we will not belong to all 3.

Decisions, decisions

[JoMar]

We also belong to Costco and Sam's and joined BJ's when it opened. We have since dropped BJ's. We make a Costco run every couple months with some neighbors, include lunch at Portillo's and some exploratory road rambles. Costco is also used for their travel capabilities, almost exclusively. I agree that Sam's is a less quality store but it serves it's purpose and we use it for chicken, gas, burgers (although Aldi's has great burgers so that might change) and select other items. Looking forward to the Clermont store. Also I saw the comment about Costco coming to TV in 3 years, or is it TV will be coming to Clermont in 3 years.....hmmmmm.

[Stu from NYC]

We also belong to Costco and Sam's and joined BJ's when it opened. We have since dropped BJ's. We make a Costco run every couple months with some neighbors, include lunch at Portillo's and some exploratory road rambles. Costco is also used for their travel capabilities, almost exclusively. I agree that Sam's is a less quality store but it serves it's purpose and we use it for chicken, gas, burgers (although Aldi's has great burgers so that might change) and select other items. Looking forward to the Clermont store. Also I saw the comment about Costco coming to TV in 3 years, or is it TV will be coming to Clermont in 3 years.....hmmmmm.

That was me who made the 3 year comment. Friend heard it from a muckemuck at Costco so no idea if that is true.

[JoMar]

That was me who made the 3 year comment. Friend heard it from a muckemuck at Costco so no idea if that is true.

Might have the same friend. Will see if she is correct :)

[MrChip72]

In about 3 years one will open close to the villages

35 minutes isn't close enough?

[Stu from NYC]

35 minutes isn't close enough?

More like an hour but would like a closer one. BJ and Sams 20 minutes away.

[coffeebean]

More like an hour but would like a closer one. BJ and Sams 20 minutes away.
In New Jersey, we were 10 minutes from a Costco. When we lived in south Florida, same thing......10 minutes away. It has been a real hardship residing so far from a Costco living in The Villages but one I will gladly deal with. I love living here.

[EdFNJ]

From my home (according to Google Maps) it's 50 minutes so FOR ME Orlando is still the better place since everything else is there (Restaurant Row, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Outlet Malls etc.). Of course YMMV. Takes us 1:05 so it's worth the extra 15 minutes for our once every 5-6 week trip. The Villages is so big it makes a large difference exactly where you live.

You'll NEVER see a Costco in The Villages. That the same "my hairdresser's, Uncle's Brother's dog haircutter's told me story" has been around for years. MAYBE Ocala IMO. I'l bet Costco has no desire to deal with "Villages People." :D

[Michael 61]

From my home (according to Google Maps) it's 50 minutes so FOR ME Orlando is still the better place since everything else is there (Restaurant Row, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Outlet Malls etc.). Of course YMMV. Takes us 1:05 so it's worth the extra 15 minutes for our once every 5-6 week trip. The Villages is so big it makes a large difference exactly where you live.

You'll NEVER see a Costco in The Villages. That the same "my hairdresser's, Uncle's Brother's dog haircutter's told me story" has been around for years. MAYBE Ocala IMO. I'l bet Costco has no desire to deal with "Villages People." :D

I’m also doubtful that a Costco would ever be built within the confines of “the bubble” as well - though I would not rule out Ocala, if it’s population continues to grow.

[Stu from NYC]

I’m also doubtful that a Costco would ever be built within the confines of “the bubble” as well - though I would not rule out Ocala, if it’s population continues to grow.

It is a coming but will not be on land owned by the developer. Figure about 3 years

[NoMo50]

You'll NEVER see a Costco in The Villages. That the same "my hairdresser's, Uncle's Brother's dog haircutter's told me story" has been around for years. MAYBE Ocala IMO. I'l bet Costco has no desire to deal with "Villages People." :D

I'm not sure Costco views the demographic of The Villages as a big part of their target market. Sure, there are a lot of folks here, but Costco tends to seek out people who buy in volume. When we were younger, and raising a family, buying in volume and stocking a freezer made sense. Now, not so much. We still enjoy going to Costco, and using them for many things. But, no longer does a trip include buying 20 lbs of ground beef, and 10 lbs of chicken breasts.

Also, you will never see a Costco located on property within the confines of The Villages. They simply will not pay the vig (percentage of gross sales) demanded by the Developer.

[UpNorth]

Costco is converting a prison in Cranston, R.I. into a new store. I know of a nice facility in Coleman they could consider. Right in the middle of the expanding Villages.

[JoMar]

I'm not sure Costco views the demographic of The Villages as a big part of their target market. Sure, there are a lot of folks here, but Costco tends to seek out people who buy in volume. When we were younger, and raising a family, buying in volume and stocking a freezer made sense. Now, not so much. We still enjoy going to Costco, and using them for many things. But, no longer does a trip include buying 20 lbs of ground beef, and 10 lbs of chicken breasts.

Also, you will never see a Costco located on property within the confines of The Villages. They simply will not pay the vig (percentage of gross sales) demanded by the Developer.

Just curious what that percentage is compared to what other Developers charge? Have you seen the contracts or commenting on rumors and speculation?

[asianthree]

Just curious what that percentage is compared to what other Developers charge? Have you seen the contracts or commenting on rumors and speculation?

If you have ever owned a business, in your contract, is a clause that percentage of gross sales, cannot be disclosed to other than the contract parties. That is for pretty much any business, in any state, that has a gross sale, plus rent in their agreement.

So unless you have inquired about store front rentals in village properties, then you would know, but couldn’t disclose. At our business, in another state, it was 19% of gross sales.

[Stu from NYC]

If you have ever owned a business, in your contract, is a clause that percentage of gross sales, cannot be disclosed to other than the contract parties. That is for pretty much any business, in any state, that has a gross sale, plus rent in their agreement.

So unless you have inquired about store front rentals in village properties, then you would know, but couldn’t disclose. At our business, in another state, it was 19% of gross sales.

19% wow shocked it is so high

[asianthree]

19% wow shocked it is so high

Not really due to the location, our business was 400% higher than at previous location. Percentage is based on how much foot traffic can the developer bring to you. We had 3 other locations that would have been under 10%, if we chose that location, but foot traffic and clientele was not worth it

[Stu from NYC]

Not really due to the location, our business was 400% higher than at previous location. Percentage is based on how much foot traffic can the developer bring to you. We had 3 other locations that would have been under 10%, if we chose that location, but foot traffic and clientele was not worth it

Never been in retail so new to me.

Shocked that markup had to be so high (to cover cost as well as rent and owner percentage) to allow you a profit.

[JoMar]

If you have ever owned a business, in your contract, is a clause that percentage of gross sales, cannot be disclosed to other than the contract parties. That is for pretty much any business, in any state, that has a gross sale, plus rent in their agreement.

So unless you have inquired about store front rentals in village properties, then you would know, but couldn’t disclose. At our business, in another state, it was 19% of gross sales.

That was my point.

[asianthree]

Never been in retail so new to me.

Shocked that markup had to be so high (to cover cost as well as rent and owner percentage) to allow you a profit.

Kept business at location for 13 years…well worth it. Sold and new owners had continued for more than 20 years until the pandemic basically shut down everything.

[Randall55]

Also, you will never see a Costco located on property within the confines of The Villages. They simply will not pay the vig (percentage of gross sales) demanded by the Developer.[/QUOTE]

hmmm..the percentage of gross sales the developer demands is probably the reason we have subpar commercial. Good to know! Unfortunately, it looks like my wife and I will be making trips to Clermont and Wesley Chapel for many more years.

[JMintzer]

Also, you will never see a Costco located on property within the confines of The Villages. They simply will not pay the vig (percentage of gross sales) demanded by the Developer.

hmmm..the percentage of gross sales the developer demands is probably the reason we have subpar commercial. Good to know! Unfortunately, it looks like my wife and I will be making trips to Clermont and Wesley Chapel for many more years.[/QUOTE]

Why? Any developer of retail space charges similar fees. No one here knows what percentage they charge...

[asianthree]

That was my point.

Not really, point is if there are businesses out of state that have a high percentage, do you really believe that developers would be in the low % bracket.

With all our experience would we open a business in the bubble. Definitely No. outside yes. Foot traffic here may be a captive audience, but spending is far different than demographics in other areas

[JoMar]

Not really, point is if there are businesses out of state that have a high percentage, do you really believe that developers would be in the low % bracket.

With all our experience would we open a business in the bubble. Definitely No. outside yes. Foot traffic here may be a captive audience, but spending is far different than demographics in other areas

The point is that every business has a business plan and that determines where they locate. Since we are focused on retail the differentiator will be projected revenue. As you know, some have escalation clauses, some fixed but I doubt there is a big difference between like NACIS codes. I agree, inside the bubble is not an ideal location for any big box store but close by may make sense in the coming years as the apartments fill up and more families are here. The changing demographics will drive who shows up.

[MrChip72]

More like an hour but would like a closer one. BJ and Sams 20 minutes away.

Nope, 35 mins or less for MANY people in TV.

Map with distance to Clermont (https://imgur.com/a/dfxAjyj)

[Stu from NYC]

hmmm..the percentage of gross sales the developer demands is probably the reason we have subpar commercial. Good to know! Unfortunately, it looks like my wife and I will be making trips to Clermont and Wesley Chapel for many more years.

Why? Any developer of retail space charges similar fees. No one here knows what percentage they charge...[/QUOTE]

Lots of stores here but the ones that seem most competitive to us are on property developer does not own.

[Bilyclub]

My guess for a new Costco will be I-75 around the 484 interchange. Close to Ocala and TV. 15 minutes closer than Clermont for me.

[MrChip72]

My guess for a new Costco will be I-75 around the 484 interchange. Close to Ocala and TV. 15 minutes closer than Clermont for me.

Costco without fail will only open in areas with an average household income of minimum $70k/year, often much higher than that. Clermont average household income is $73k. In Ocala, it's $42k so not a very good chance of seeing a Costco open up there. Gainesville maybe as their average household income is just under $70k.

[Bilyclub]

Costco without fail will only open in areas with an average household income of minimum $70k/year, often much higher than that. Clermont average household income is $73k. In Ocala, it's $42k so not a very good chance of seeing a Costco open up there. Gainesville maybe as their average household income is just under $70k.

Must not be a hard rule. There's one in Evansville Indiana.

[MrChip72]

Must not be a hard rule. There's one in Evansville Indiana.

There's surely exceptions, but not very often. Also some of the surrounding areas like Newburgh outside Evansville have a higher income

[JMintzer]

Why? Any developer of retail space charges similar fees. No one here knows what percentage they charge...

Lots of stores here but the ones that seem most competitive to us are on property developer does not own.

I didn't say that (post #30). The person I was quoting (who doesn't know how to use the quote function properly) said that...