About 5 years ago, it was rumored that Costco and Macy's were to be the anchor stores at a mall to be built on the site of the Brownwood Hotel. Then we heard that Costco refused to build here. Stores like Costco, Sam's, WalMart, etc. operate on receiving huge discounts from manufacturers and they operate on very small markups and profits. For example, WalMart is believed to operate on 15% profit.

The problem with locating in TV is that retailer rent usually includes a percentage of the retailer's income. This makes the property owner (the Morses) a partner in the business and gives them the right to audit your books. No large chain or corporation will even consider the idea. However, franchise owners like Too-Jays, Flippers, etc. are individuals and can do what they like.

For well over 10 years, residents of TV have been trying to get Trader Joe's to locate here. No one doubts that TV would be a prime market for Trader Joe's. The last I heard was that upwards of 6,000 residents signed a "petition" to get a store here. Time after time, it was rebuffed. Finally, Trader Joe's management let the petitioners know, "Stop calling on us. We will never build a store in The Villages." It was the rent that forced them to take that position.

As the area grows and multigenerational homes apartments fill up Costco will probably show up. A few years back Wesley Capel was farm land. And the building explosion began. 17 years ago Sam's was farm land. Hang tight took this area a bit of time to see HomeGoods and other stores. As we grow so will the outskirts. Jobs schools businesses. The friendly retirement community will be part of another massive growth of Florida. Oh for the days of the Buffalo and quaint communities. Yep age is creeping in.

When I ask people in the pool what store they miss the most, the number one answer is Costco. Number two is Trader Joe's and number three is The Christmas Tree Store. Four is B.J's.

No need to order on line since it is more expensive than in the stores but they actually use our zip codes when we do visit their stores. They can tell from our membership numbers and home addresses associated with the accounts.

Costco blister packs their rotisserie chicken that has been pulled off the bones. Sam's does not offer this.

For some reason, our local Sam's has stopped carrying frozen Tyson chicken tenderloins. Costco still has those in the Kirkland brand frozen rotisserie chicken.

Those are just two differences between the two warehouses. There are many more with Costco coming out on top.

We go to the Wesley Chapel Costco.

Many thanks for your efforts.

Ocala? I'll take it!

:( :(

Thanks as soon as I finish the
 

addition to my home I’ll be able to buy even more

The suggestion that these stores don’t come here because of the villages high rents makes no sense . There are many stores that surround the property that are not owned by the villages

The Costco story has been floated for years. The commercial real estate rates are very expensive and many other considerations. Give it up

Good idea! I have sent requests to Costco to consider opening a store in the area. We really need one!

I would change my diet if I needed that much TP.

We drive down to Clermont once a month to a BJ's that's on Rt 27...it's only a 30 mile trip from TV

BJ's is mostly an east coast store...shopped at BJ's for decades, never shopped at a Costco or Sam's because there just weren't any near us

Not big fan of any store where I have to pay To get in just to buy there crap. Think of the millions there making off gullible’s.