Are there any plans for Big Box stores south of 44?
 

Are there any plans for big box stores south of 44? We just bought in the village of Hawkins, and have to drive 30 mins to get to Lowes or Home Depot, or other big box stores for stuff.

Lowe’s on 466A is only about 15 minute drive. I would prefer to drive and have less traffic. 441 traffic is horrible during the winter/spring.

first world problem which will disappear for you in about a year. . . everyone can't have a Lowes within 15 minutes of their house while they move in, and then complain about the traffic after their need disappears. . .

learn to be organized, plan ahead, optimize your trip, and don't go for one item. you can do it,

There is a Lowes in Wildwood on 466A, which is 9 miles from Hawkins. There is also a Walmart in Leesburg, 10 miles from Hawkins.

I might go to Lowe’s or HD once every 4 months. But I make a list. We travel to Disney and Costco every 3 weeks, that drive is more than 30 minutes :clap2:

100% TOTALLY Agree. I'll take the short drive for the occasional trip to a big box store over the traffic and other wonderfulness that draws such as big box stores bring into a neighborhood.

I live in Hawkins and go the Wildwood Lowes. It’s much closer than the one on 441. Takes about 12 minutes.

Ace Hardware in Wildwood, local business and great service.

Costco , Trader Joe’s would be nice in leesburg I would think.

Who needs 'big box' when you have Amazon to your doorstep, same or next day!

Costco will be coming

Sparr Building & Farm Supply across from Brownwood is great for hardware needs.

Write to them....... Do you think they read this forum???? Really!!!!

Funny!!!!!:bigbow:

I am equidistant from the Ace Hardware and Lowes, always try Ace first.

Sparr had certain electrical parts in stock that I couldn't find at Lowes or HD. It is a surprisingly well-stocked store. From the outside, I thought it was farm supply, but they have a lot of hardware items -- tools, electrical, plumbing, paint, etc.

Stu, thanks for taking the pressure off the rest of us by posting this reply quickly :icon_wink::icon_wink:

It’s a Sheldon response, Sarcasm

COSTCO just purchased his home and is renovating it for a mini Costco.

Very mini?

The Villages has tried. Wont happen.

BJ's is building in Summerfield next to Lowes on 441 after COSTCO selected Claremont Fl over Summerfield. Costco Clermont about 30 minutes from Southern Oaks area. Better than an hour to Westely Chapel or Orlando.

Costco is coming to Clermont - The Addison at Clermont

Costco

Nope

Lol

Let's hope not. Buy local from the small merchants. Keep your money in the community.

Exactly. Prime is free and most times next day delivery. No driving, no whining about traffic. Easy peasy

Hasn't been next day in along time... gone are those days.

Wrong Demographics for an upscale store
 

Right now both Leesburg and Ocala has the wrong Demographic for these type of stores, the Villages has the right Demographics but lack the population. A store like Costco, Trader Joe’s, Etc has inventories from 2 to 20 Million dollars, equipment from 2.5 to 6 million and a building and property from 3 to 16 million. So it’s quite an investment and the “bean counters” stress a reasonable pay back.

Agree. Traffic is worse during the season but it still only takes about 10 minutes to get from the southern end to the northern end of the 441"stomping ground" during the season. Summer months, even less.

That small stretch of 441includes countless retail stores and restaurants and also hospital and medical buildings. Closeness to shopping and restaurants was on our check list of "must haves" when we did our home search in The Villages. Our Mallory Square location checked that off with no problem.

We drive to Costco monthly and it is just over a one hour drive for us. Gotta do it though. Love Costco.

I live right between 466 and 441 and I disagree with you about the traffic. Maybe I don't go when people are commuting to work? I chose to live where I live because of the stores. I'm originally from NY/NJ and "needed" stores around me. Personally, I would never move down to the newer areas because of what the original poster said. And we have construction now but it has not affected me. It must be the timing.

I'm originally from NY/NJ also and totally agree that I would not live anywhere unless there are lots of retail and restaurants near by. I'm so spoiled. The traffic here can not and will never compare to Long Island or South Florida where I lived for 24 years.

So......traffic? What traffic?

We built in Chitty Chatty...revised floor plans, got 2 huge extra walk in closets etc and a pond/pool BUT knew it would be a trek going to the stores I like. Once your house is in order and your closets are stuffed you dont need to shop that much anymore....

You should have thought about things like that, before you
bought in an area that has nothing!

Your information isn't helpful considering you're addressing 441 and not 44.

Coffeebean:

We also like Costco. Which one do you go to, and is there a particular day or time when you find there is less traffic?
Thanks.

You are another one who's not helpful because you're dressing 441 and the post wants information about 44.

Big difference geographically. Ahem

Ewalsh43:

Ignore those who feel a need to be rude or critical.

[QUOTE=Stu from NYC;1984141]no suggestion of 'holding our collective breaths til then]