[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]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

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]

Originally Posted by mrf6969

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]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

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

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]

Originally Posted by dolphin

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

You mean 466? Store is no where near 466A

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by BrianM

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]

Originally Posted by Mrprez

So, all the Chicken Littles were wrong ? Shocking.

Originally Posted by shut the front door

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

Originally Posted by dolphin

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

Wait until January, let us know if it is still easy in and out.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by Switter

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.