[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

You would think, since there is already a Sam's and BJ's in that area, Costco would do better further south (either on 44 or 466A). But they have no doubt done the research and most certainly know what will work best.

I think Costco trying to avoid opening near a Sam's or BJ's due to competition, would be like a Walmart Supercenter being afraid of opening up near a Kmart.

To me, when you look at things, 466 is an overall better location. Established population, close to 301, close to Ocala, not a bad drive from Gainesville plus golf cart accessible.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Mleeja

Hate to be a Debbie Downer on Costco, but this is a terrible location. The traffic will be horrendous! One has to remember a Costco will draw customers from outside of The Villages. It is likely that both Wedgewood Lane and Woodbridge Drive will need to be increased to four lanes, stop lights, turn lanes, etc. The infrastructure is just not there to support a store this large.

I hope Costco comes to the area, just not here. Lastly, for the other commenters, I would think you will lose golf cart access to Costco and all the businesses west of the planned location.

Has the size of the store been announced?
Lose golf cart access? Nah. Them other stores will have a say.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Maybe Costco is luring people from Ocala?????? Staying north may be the better option for them.

Bingo!

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Those folks down south must be upset, to say the least.

Nope, Clermont is closer with less traffic.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

I think Costco trying to avoid opening near a Sam's or BJ's due to competition, would be like a Walmart Supercenter being afraid of opening up near a Kmart.

...

Just the opposite. Costco builds where the market exists. They can be predatory to established business as they grab significant existing market share and recruit management and employees from those businesses.

[Sherkugawa]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Thanks!

Probably not great news for all the other big box stores in the area.

On an economic basis competition is a good thing! It creates more business for everyone and for consumers gives us more choices.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by Mleeja

Hate to be a Debbie Downer on Costco, but this is a terrible location. The traffic will be horrendous! One has to remember a Costco will draw customers from outside of The Villages. It is likely that both Wedgewood Lane and Woodbridge Drive will need to be increased to four lanes, stop lights, turn lanes, etc. The infrastructure is just not there to support a store this large.

I hope Costco comes to the area, just not here. Lastly, for the other commenters, I would think you will lose golf cart access to Costco and all the businesses west of the planned location.

The location road wise is an exact replica of BJ's on 441. One block off the main highway. The side street was not widened to 4 lanes. Still golf cart accessible.

[M2inOR]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

You would think, since there is already a Sam's and BJ's in that area, Costco would do better further south (either on 44 or 466A). But they have no doubt done the research and most certainly know what will work best.

I'm not ruling out that another Costco might be added down South.

I moved here from Oregon 4 years ago. From my home in Beaverton, we had 5 Costco's within 25 minutes. All has 95% of the same products, but that other 5% got me to visit each of them quite frequently.

Costco works on volume and knowing its customers. The new Clermont Costco is quite busy and quite crowded, so they have new data for their future plans.

The Villages and its partners now own that huge swath of land between I-75/301 and 44/Colman. That's a lot of acreage to fill with residential, commercial, and industrial development.

Perhaps in my lifetime <grin and a wink>.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by M2inOR

I'm not ruling out that another Costco might be added down South.

I moved here from Oregon 4 years ago. From my home in Beaverton, we had 5 Costco's within 25 minutes. All has 95% of the same products, but that other 5% got me to visit each of them quite frequently.

Costco works on volume and knowing its customers. The new Clermont Costco is quite busy and quite crowded, so they have new data for their future plans.

The Villages and its partners now own that huge swath of land between I-75/301 and 44/Colman. That's a lot of acreage to fill with residential, commercial, and industrial development.

Perhaps in my lifetime <grin and a wink>.

Well, a lot of it is population density and average household disposable income. When I lived in South Orange County (CA), I had 3 Costcos within 15 minutes: two in Laguna Niguel and the one in San Juan Capistrano. I had 4 Trader Joe's within 10 minutes (Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, and Aliso Viejo). All the Costcos had food courts, tire stations, gas stations, pharmacies, and optometrists. The SJC one had a carwash!

However, South OC is quite dense and has an exceptionally high average household disposable income. It is not dense like NYC, but dense like L.A., with a higher household income. That is why shops like Tiffany, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, etc. are all either South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island malls. Many 2nd tier stores at nearby Shoppes at Mission Viejo also.

Not sure The Villages can boast that type of demographic that would encourage Costco to build yet a third Villages-adjacent store. Or TJ's even a single store : (

[Priebehouse]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I hope so! Because it would mean they are successful enough for people to want it that much. After so many, many years of waiting and hoping for a Costco near TV…

Anybody wanna buy a house in Glenbrook? 466 and Wedgewood traffic is gonna be unbearable.

[Joe C.]

Traffic will be heavy when Costco first opens up. As soon as the novelty of exploring and shopping in this new store wears off, traffic will resume to normal levels. Just like when BJ's opened, it was a pain to go there. But now if you time it just right, it's a breeze. I shop there around 5pm and there's no traffic and not lots of people. It'll be the same when Costco opens for business.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Well, a lot of it is population density and average household disposable income. When I lived in South Orange County (CA), I had 3 Costcos within 15 minutes: two in Laguna Niguel and the one in San Juan Capistrano. I had 4 Trader Joe's within 10 minutes (Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, and Aliso Viejo). All the Costcos had food courts, tire stations, gas stations, pharmacies, and optometrists. The SJC one had a carwash!

However, South OC is quite dense and has an exceptionally high average household disposable income. It is not dense like NYC, but dense like L.A., with a higher household income. That is why shops like Tiffany, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, etc. are all either South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island malls. Many 2nd tier stores at nearby Shoppes at Mission Viejo also.

Not sure The Villages can boast that type of demographic that would encourage Costco to build yet a third Villages-adjacent store. Or TJ's even a single store : (

Best location explanation yet. Disposable income. Residents north of 466A have substantially less bond and mortgage debt thus higher disposable income.

[Stu from NYC]

The Sun this AM is calling the Costco move preliminary. Interesting

[mrf0151]

Hope it will be a store the size of the Clermont store. That Costco is about twice the size of our Sams Club on 441. My gut tells me it will be a mini-Costco.

[mrf0151]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

This legitimate, they are coming!

Don, do you know how many Acres that lot is where they are going to plant this Costco?
It looks like the average Costco is on about 20 acres to build a 150K sq ft store.