We always wait till the last minute to decide what is for dinner so have always had a full size freezer. It is 30 years old now and came from monkey ward but still works fine.

Once we moved here decided our pantry did not give enough storage so purchased a separate pantry closet. Turned out it came with about 400 pieces to be put together so it was a bit of a challenge to use all the parts

Sounds good!

NOTHING better than Maryland crab cakes!

I'd been a Costco member for years. Moving here I wasn't about to schlep to Orlando to go to one. Joined Sam's, and I'm completely happy with it.

Hot Shot
Home Depot $3
Roach powder with boric acid
They will walk thru and leave.........and die.

I hate going to Orlando. If I were going to Costco I would go to the one at Wesley Chapel just north of Tampa. It's just about the same driving time, one road the whole way I-75 and then exit route 56 west and you're just about there. It's only about two years old. They have a bunch of new stores nearby and the Tampa Premium Outlet Mall is right next door and about 4 miles east is The Shops at Wiregrass Outdoor Mall. Here's a google map on directions.

Google Maps

Here's the layout of the Costco Location.

https://neighborhoodnewsonline.net/w...eekCenter2.jpg

The Shops at Wiregrass is like being in a downtown on city streets, it's really nice. The anchor stores are Macys and Dillards.

https://www.visitflorida.com/bin/vf/...500.imagecache

Cosco has a lifetime return policy (except for some electronics which are 90 days). You can buy something and five years later decide you don't like it and return it!

I’ve only been In Walmart about a half dozen times and I’ve never been in a BJ’S , Sam’S or Costco at 82 maybe I should put them on my bucket list , but can’t think of any reason why.

You might be better off taking I-75 to the Costco at Wesley Chapel. At least its interstate driving.

I got the Sam's Club Master Card. What I earn in points every year more than makes up for my membership. I spend between $500 and $600 a month and about once a year my order is close to free.

I bought mayo there a few months ago. It came as two, 25 oz squeeze bottles packaged together.

I think that a point that a lot of people miss is that not all Sam's Clubs are the same just as all Costcos are not and all BJs are not the same. These companies tailor the size and inventory of their stores depending on their location. Stores that are located near major highways are much larger and have more inventory than stores that are in places like The Villages. Take a ride and visit the Sam's Club in Ocala and you'll see a big difference between that one the the one here. Go and see the one in Orlando by the intersection of the turnpike, rte 528 and I-4 and you'll see and even larger store.

Between the Villages, Fruitland Park, Leesburg and Summerfield there are about 200,000 people. Although this is more than Ocala and the surrounding communities, people can come from far and wide because it is a few hundred yards off of the exit of I-75.

It wouldn't surprise me to see one of BJs smaller stores go in here.

You must be a very rich since you have money to waste. On average I save $25 a week on $100 worth of groceries at Walmart instead shopping at Publix. When I go to Publix it's only for the BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) items or I buy it at Walmart. I've been shopping at Walmart since the 70's. Plus I have a Walmart Master Card so all my purchases at Walmart earn 2% back.

Think your forgetting all the other things they sell.

For example find it a great place to buy shirts and pants and other items of clothes for me and some for my wife.

Also tires and other things for our house.

Seems is great deal of controversy over which is "best". Our adult children live in huge metro area with all of them, say Costco is still head & shoulders above all if all services are compared, as I understand they allow returns of anything, even things people have used for years (like a sofa that did not stand up to wear). I've visited all of them when visiting, just could not get into a frame of mind to pay someone for the privilege of shopping in their store ? Personally I think I was most impressed with Costco's merchandise, but these days really would not save that much by purchasing 6 gallons of apple cider vinegar or a shrink wrap package of 12 tubes of toothpaste....LOL... might have been an advantage years ago when all the kids were at home ! ? LOL ! Good to see that a company does see this as a viable retail option though, especially when I see so many places closing. Kind of sad when you walk around the squares and really notice how much is now vacant. Hope 2021 brings better.

That's exactly what I always think when at the "kids" homes and visit all the big warehouse stores with them ! And the gallon jars of dill pickles.... kind of like the college cafeteria ? But nice things look bright enough to have such a huge concern come and make the investment.

I agree, although my experience has all been at Costco when visiting our adult children, HUGE chickens (I jokingly told our son I was a little suspicious about how they get that big...LOL !) for $5, and after all the meals, DIL puts the carcasses in instapot and makes broth like my gram used to make on the farm, rich and delicious, for soup or chicken and dumplings ! WM has them, not as large, but, nice for $4 !

I have run the stats on the WM, Publix, WD comparisons many times. I tend to agree that over all WM (usually) runs less, and yes, BOGO at WD and Publix usually a bit less but not always either. It is very dependent on the individual and the items they buy on a regular basis, in other words, to come out ahead you have to do a lot of homework....LOL.... I would say I personally do a lot of stock items at WM, and actually find their produce usually very good quality and prices. I buy almost all meat at Publix, their bakery and their deli both much higher quality than WM from my point of view, but also really appreciate fresh market and hope we don't loose that option !

No, but I do enjoy buying the regular size mayo at Sam's for $1.50 cheaper than Publix.

Not to mention their meats, seafood and poultry.

[QUOTE=Pairadocs;1883292]I have run the stats on the WM, Publix, WD comparisons many times. I tend to agree that over all WM (usually) runs less, and yes, BOGO at WD and Publix usually a bit less but not always either. It is very dependent on the individual and the items they buy on a regular basis, in other words, to come out ahead you have to do a lot of homework....LOL.... I would say I personally do a lot of stock items at WM, and actually find their produce usually very good quality and prices. I buy almost all meat at Publix, their bakery and their deli both much higher quality than WM from my point of view, but also really appreciate fresh market and hope we don't loose that option ! But making the assumption that a person is "very rich" ( who even knows what "very rich" is ?) and would always save $25 a week, not that simple.


/QUOTE]

You are so right, I think some people are confused at Sam’s Club and Costco only sells gigantic jars of some thing. When in reality it comes in normal size for pretty much everything just less money.

YES, recipe recipe.... is it a "secret" one ? Tried Fresh Market's, look fantastic but taste like pure salt.... so sad and disappointing !

Nice day trip
 

Thanks for posting all this details and map ! When I go to Costco I go to the Winter Park one and that seems a much shorter trip down OBT. I like that I can make a Trader Joe's and a Whole foods (at winter park village) run on the same day and all in one trip, but the mall and map you kindly posted has definitely been put on the to do list ! :coolsmiley:

For customer service Publix can't be beaten.

Try the Costco in Lutz. A real disaster. Grumpy employees, limited product brand selection ( no Folgers coffee).Very location and management dependent on which store is better. Just my opinion!

Just be careful, because sometimes they are not the same tire as elsewhere. There can be less plies. You can't go by the brand name and model of the tire; they will match, but the plies are stamped on the side of the tire and you can verify it by that. There are little differences in some products that you may not notice unless you look really close. :)

Oh yes everyone who shops at Publix is rich
 

and everyone at Walmart is poor , I shop at Publix for there good produce and service and there charity work and also in every business poll
They are rated very high for taking care of employees . I also only shop at Armani , Hugo Boss and Nike but that’s another story lol

Publix is rated as the best place to work, that's nice for them, as retiree I'm looking for the best bargains. As I stated, I'll go to Publix, but only for the BOGOs. If you never been in Walmart how do know what their produce is like. Those who shop at Walmart may be poor, or may be someone who doesn't like wasting their money. Saving $25 a week, is $100 a month, which is $1200 a year, I appreciate the Neighborhood Walmart they built at Colony. to each their own.

https://www.walmart.com/store/4565-the-villages-fl

I made a humerus statement about not shopping in those stores , I did not talk about rich or poor or how much money somebody saves or don’t save because I don’t care how much people save or where you shop but it seems humor or sarcasm go over many people’s heads .

:icon_wink: A lot of people say they don't like it. I think you are right..... a lot of times it goes over their head because they don't understand it. Just roll with the :boxing2: punches. Most don't understand that I don't care if they find it funny..... I usually do it for my own amusement. :icon_wink:

:ho:Next time you're at the Shops at Wiregrass, try the Mexican Restaurant (not Moe's) Name is Cantina Laredo. One of the best things about going there. Nice restaurant with a nice bar. We drive down the back roads and do an overnight staying at the Fairfield Inn next to the Shops. In the a.m. you can hit Costco and then I-75 home. :)

For those of you who asked for the crab recipe, did anyone else try it, if you didn't get it, go back to post #30. Today since the Baltimore Ravens were in a playoff game, which they won, we had Maryland style crab cakes. This is my wife's work. One pound of lump crab meat bought at Sam's Club on Thursday and then Winn Dixie Cole Slaw, Campbell's Baked Beans, hamburger bun with lettuce & tomato, and green onions and crackers on the side. Of course, an Orioles mug.

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...43&oe=601F35C2

A pound makes 8 crab cakes for us, so now we have 6 more for later.

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...58&oe=6021F064

I like Publix but they can be expensive. Before coming down I paid $1.99 for a case of water and Publix had it for $4.49, that is quite a difference so I can imagine what else was higher priced.

BJ’s is great for water, toilet paper, some meds, bakery and many other things.

If you shop grocery stores, you'll learn Publix is best for the BOGOs. they have them every week. Buy one get one free. Otherwise, we buy everything at Walmart, especially the Neighborhood Walmart at Colony. Water at Walmart for probably 28 or 32 bottles is $2.99 on average. Milk at Walmart has been $1.99, at Publix $4.29, I could give you a list a mile long. If you don't mind buying store brand, Aldis is just as cheap as Walmart on most items, but they don't normally carry name brands.

thank you.