Costco crazy busy street traffic? NOT!!

[mrf6969]

We were at Costco yesterday afternoon. Plenty of parking. Picked up about 15 items and the checkout was fast. The store was very busy but that was expected. There was not a traffic issue at all. Pleasent surprise!
Also, in the Costco area on Wedgewood this morning for an hour from 9:30 to 10:30 and the traffic was not much busier than it usually is.

[Mrprez]

So, all the Chicken Littles were wrong ? Shocking.

[tophcfa]

We were at Costco yesterday afternoon. Plenty of parking. Picked up about 15 items and the checkout was fast. The store was very busy but that was expected. There was not a traffic issue at all. Pleasent surprise!
Also, in the Costco area on Wedgewood this morning for an hour from 9:30 to 10:30 and the traffic was not much busier than it usually is.

How was it for golf carts going through the intersection by Costco/Fresh Market on Wedgewood Lane?

[asianthree]

This morning Between 9-9:50am there might have been 3 golf carts at Costco. We traveled from 301, no issues with traffic. Fuel line went quickly, but steady stream of cars entering the parking when we were exiting

The Sheriff canine division was well represented in the store, without K-9. So that was disappointing not seeing a puppy sniffing at the pharmacy department or waiting for pizza.

[mrf6969]

How was it for golf carts going through the intersection by Costco/Fresh Market on Wedgewood Lane?

I saw no issues whatsoever there. It appears that all this bad traffic talk on here by worriers has not come to fruition. Looks like Costco knew what they were doing planting a store in this location.

[Taltarzac725]

How was it for golf carts going through the intersection by Costco/Fresh Market on Wedgewood Lane?

I have been worried about that intersection too as well as the golf cart tunnel under CR101 near CVS and Publix et al. The tunnel is nearest to Tequila Cantina | Mexican Kitchen in The Villages, FL (https://share.google/Hi2nGYE7kFLH75jQT)

[asianthree]

I have been worried about that intersection too as well as the golf cart tunnel under CR101 near CVS and Publix et al. The tunnel is nearest to Tequila Cantina | Mexican Kitchen in The Villages, FL (https://share.google/Hi2nGYE7kFLH75jQT)

Cars coming from the shopping at the plaza seemed less. But it was before lunch time. Come High season it will be a train wreck as usual. I rarely come that way because trust issues for cars is scary

I did have a car in the left lane roundabout at BV and Odell, try to turn into traffic because they missed their exit. That stopped everything for a few minutes until person realized they would have to jump curbs and run over a car to do so.

It was a FL plate with can’t see over the steering wheel person..so all good.:undecided:

That roundabout seems to be a big draw for unusual circumstances. Multiple accidents and a couple struck by a car walking across the roundabout.

[Bogie Shooter]

I have been worried about that intersection too as well as the golf cart tunnel under CR101 near CVS and Publix et al. The tunnel is nearest to Tequila Cantina | Mexican Kitchen in The Villages, FL (https://share.google/Hi2nGYE7kFLH75jQT)

Worried, why?

[shut the front door]

So, all the Chicken Littles were wrong ? Shocking.

That is a very large group here. They really should start their own hand wringing club.

[Topspinmo]

So, narrow window of time and NO snowbirds. What survey!:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[Taltarzac725]

Worried, why?

Very small tunnel with sharp turns and close to roads on East Side. Not built for a large amount of traffic . Could be OK on West Side if limited usage .

[airstreamingypsy]

Most people who will shop there, are avoiding it the first week, I know I am. Working people around here, will be coming on the weekend. You may eat your words. That said, I hope you're right.

[Switter]

I just got back from there (Thursday night). I went about 6 PM. It wasn't any busier than any other Costco I've been to. I had to park about 75 yards from the entrance but I normally do that anyways. There was hardly any traffic on 466A and getting in and out was a piece of cake. I imagine Saturdays will be busy though.

[coffeebean]

I just got back from there (Thursday night). I went about 6 PM. It wasn't any busier than any other Costco I've been to. I had to park about 75 yards from the entrance but I normally do that anyways. There was hardly any traffic on 466A and getting in and out was a piece of cake. I imagine Saturdays will be busy though.

Costco is on 466.

[Switter]

Costco is on 466.

Yeah, I still get those two mixed up lol

[tophcfa]

We checked it out this evening after golfing at Hawks Bay. It was still busy at 7:30 PM, but the traffic wasn’t an issue at all. Very impressive, well stocked, and the staff was very organized and efficient. This place is most definitely a positive addition to the Villages, although it won’t be good for places like Publix or Best Buy to have such a formidable competitor. We didn’t buy much because we went via golf cart and unfortunately have to head back north next week. It’s great to have Costco here, we will no longer have to have our vehicle packed with stuff from Costco every time we drive south. Also, I checked out the replacement batteries for Yamaha gas golf carts. As expected, you can get a good quality interstate battery for about half the price of a place like Autozone.

[Dilligas]

That is a very large group here. They really should start their own hand wringing club.
They moved down to Walmart on 44 & Morse

[dolphin]

I saw no issues whatsoever there. It appears that all this bad traffic talk on here by worriers has not come to fruition. Looks like Costco knew what they were doing planting a store in this location.

Wait till January!!!!!

[SaucyJim]

So, narrow window of time and NO snowbirds. What survey!:eclipsee_gold_cup:

Finally! Two pages before someone mentions the elephant in the room. Half the homes in my village are EMPTY right now.

I’ll reserve judgement until January. In the meantime, no Costco for us until our Sam’s Club membership expires, at which time my wife and I will debate making the switch. I’ve not had a Costco nearby for years and I can count on NO hands the number of times I’ve said, “If we only had a Costco, we could…” out loud: ZERO.

Sam’s holds superiority over Costco on technologies that make shopping easier. The only thing I see is that I can go to Costco by golf car, which I prefer. But then where to put the bulk items for the trip home? Oh yeah - and where to store them when I get home.

My two cents. Which is more than you paid. ;)

[phousel]

Wait till January!!!!!

Ok - I have been there twice now! Opening day (midday) and Thursday (midday). Parking lot completely full. Many vehicles parked in the grass lot in front of the store. Many shoppers parked in Hobby Lobby lot. Many shoppers parked in the lot infront of the Dollar Store, along with all the employees cars. What WASN'T there was traffic! I was in my golf cart and may have had a slightly longer "delay" to cross the intersection at the Fresh Market but it was manageable.

[BrianM]

We were at Costco yesterday afternoon. Plenty of parking. Picked up about 15 items and the checkout was fast. The store was very busy but that was expected. There was not a traffic issue at all. Pleasent surprise!
Also, in the Costco area on Wedgewood this morning for an hour from 9:30 to 10:30 and the traffic was not much busier than it usually is.

I was not one of the doom & bloomers, but was expecting to hear about more traffic issues.
We were wondering if it might still be better to go to Clermont due to living south and right off the turnpike.
Thanks for the report.
We will be headed up there soon.

[Angelhug52]

I just got back from there (Thursday night). I went about 6 PM. It wasn't any busier than any other Costco I've been to. I had to park about 75 yards from the entrance but I normally do that anyways. There was hardly any traffic on 466A and getting in and out was a piece of cake. I imagine Saturdays will be busy though.
You mean 466? Store is no where near 466A

[ThirdOfFive]

Most people who will shop there, are avoiding it the first week, I know I am. Working people around here, will be coming on the weekend. You may eat your words. That said, I hope you're right.
Not a concern I necessarily share.

Costco will never be fuller than full, and it was as full (or as close to it) on Wednesday as it is ever going to get. Nor was traffic really any heavier in any significant sense. I think Wednesday is the benchmark for low-season activity, both in the store and on the streets/roads coming and going.

Snowbird season? More traffic, of course, but comparatively probably no worse than any other snowbird season. Also, snowbirds, short-term renters, airb&b'ers, etc. are not really the type to buy Charmin by the case or most any other item in bulk, so I doubt that they will add that much more to the number of people shopping at Costco.

Of course, there are the chickens...

[Altavia]

I was not one of the doom & bloomers, but was expecting to hear about more traffic issues.
We were wondering if it might still be better to go to Clermont due to living south and right off the turnpike.
Thanks for the report.
We will be headed up there soon.

The sites are about equal distance for us but the Turnpike shutdown risk makes the Villages location via 301 a more reliable option than Clermont from the southern Villages.

The new Walmart will reduce the motivation to use Costco for day to day stuff when it opens and distribute some of the snowbird traffic.

[jim@jedward.com]

Agreed completely. I was there on day two it was very, very crowded, but everything seemed to go smoothly including checkout. Customers all seem to be in a good mood and quite courteous. Gas station is night and day better than Sam’s Club. All the sky is falling nonsense over the past year never materialized.

[Marathon Man]

So, all the Chicken Littles were wrong ? Shocking.

That is a very large group here. They really should start their own hand wringing club.

Wait till January!!!!!

Best free entertainment in town.

[Cliff Fr]

Well, keep in mind that it was a weekday in the summer.

[MrFlorida]

It's not like everybody will shop at Costco, remember , there is also Sam's Club and BJ's here....

[Tobys Dad]

We were at Costco yesterday afternoon. Plenty of parking. Picked up about 15 items and the checkout was fast. The store was very busy but that was expected. There was not a traffic issue at all. Pleasent surprise!
Also, in the Costco area on Wedgewood this morning for an hour from 9:30 to 10:30 and the traffic was not much busier than it usually is.
Wait until January, let us know if it is still easy in and out.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Yeah, I still get those two mixed up lol

Driving from the north to the south, or rather from the older to the newer areas, first it's 466, then 466a. Kinda surprised 44 wasn't 466b.

[PersonOfInterest]

You mean 466? Store is no where near 466A

Yep, the traffic on 466a was just fine.

[USOTR]

There is going to need to be a traffic light.. Otherwise when all those horn blowing, aggressive snow birds drivers return that intersection will be a mess.

[Howdy]

My advice is: Stay Calm & Carry On.

[DARFAP]

So, all the Chicken Littles were wrong ? Shocking.
Yep, all the fear mongerers. Still can’t get over there were people that waited overnight (per news report). Insane.

[MicRoDrafting]

We were at Costco yesterday afternoon. Plenty of parking. Picked up about 15 items and the checkout was fast. The store was very busy but that was expected. There was not a traffic issue at all. Pleasent surprise!

N O V E M B E R
is coming soon

[Switter]

You mean 466? Store is no where near 466A

Yeah, 466

[Nana2Teddy]

The sites are about equal distance for us but the Turnpike shutdown risk makes the Villages location via 301 a more reliable option than Clermont from the southern Villages.

The new Walmart will reduce the motivation to use Costco for day to day stuff when it opens and distribute some of the snowbird traffic.
Also Target’s imminent opening on 466A will likely divert some shoppers.

[Aces4]

There is going to need to be a traffic light.. Otherwise when all those horn blowing, aggressive snow birds drivers return that intersection will be a mess.

Yup, don't you wish all those "hornblowing, aggressive snow birds" would sell their properties, not come back and sink The Villages in a hurry since the housing market here is so bloated now? barf

[asianthree]

Also Target’s imminent opening on 466A will likely divert some shoppers.

Better yet WaWa’s opens, now that will give some relief from Costco snack bar. I love their berry freeze, but WaWa’s drinks and sandwiches are better.

I don’t see Target shoppers taking away any diehard Costco shoppers

[Topspinmo]

Yep, the traffic on 466a was just fine.


Every time I’ve traveled to or through 466a traffic was backed up 30 plus deep at lights, turning lanes too short backing up turning traffic. No shall we talk about Powell road traffic and that intersection?

[Topspinmo]

Better yet WaWa’s opens, now that will give some relief from Costco snack bar. I love their berry freeze, but WaWa’s drinks and sandwiches are better.

I don’t see Target shoppers taking away any diehard Costco shoppers

Wawa, yea right.

[Topspinmo]

Yup, don't you wish all those "hornblowing, aggressive snow birds" would sell their properties, not come back and sink The Villages in a hurry since the housing market here is so bloated now? barf


How do you know most aren’t snowbird houses?

[coralway]

Good news the Costco down here is busy - get that stock price back up to 1k a share.

[Nell57]

Driving from the north to the south, or rather from the older to the newer areas, first it's 466, then 466a. Kinda surprised 44 wasn't 466b.

Had to move on to 44A 44B and 44C.