When did you first move to The Villages?

Our Lansing, Michigan store took about 18 months after the newspaper announcement.

I wonder if my email's and suggested site for this Costco finallly worked out? In the past six years I've gone on their web site to suggest The Villages as a possible new addition to their growing empire. I also told them about the large piece of land where many of us went to to get our Covid shots back in January 2021.

The traffic will be crazy because this is where most of the shopping in The Villages is now located. The south looks desirable to you because this area is lacking. I really thought that Costco would maybe build down there. But, now this location is closer to Ocala and also Gainsville. Where many young families are living.

That is the worst location in TV for a Costco. Traffic at that location is already a nightmare and Costco getting trucks to that location is not ideal.
Hopefully Costco is only preliminary looking at that an other locations.

Too funny. Yeah, the fast building pace will make it much sooner. But, it is still going to be years.

Lol, in thirty years none of us will care. We arrived here in 2004 and the changes are as Margaret indicated.

It was really a cool place then but I think for the good of The Villages, it would have been better for the new Costco to be on the south end of Ocala.

The traffic and influx of surrounding neighbors to shop Costco will be extremely undesirable for The Villages. We would always prefer to drive 20-30 minutes rather than have that constant congestion. Now Ocala residents will be in the crowd filling the streets here.

Yes, I remember when we purchased our first wholesale club card. We were looking for a printer and I had already checked Best Buy and Office Depot. Sam’s club had a promotion and a friend had a Sam’s card. We found a very large stack of printers just inside the front door. $60 cheaper than Best Buy for the exact printer. More than paid for my card. Sam’s club gas was always the lowest in the area. Still is and I buy 90% of my gas there. Tires, TV’s and other large items cheaper at Sam’s. My wife and her sister go there occasionally and share some of the bulk groceries. We get items delivered to our door free with their “plus” card. Occasionally, we will have pizza or hot dogs there for lunch if we are shopping. We purchase (renew) Sam’s cards for our four adult grandchildren at Christmas every year. They like Sam’s. Such a deal! I suspect Costco has great deals also and competition is always a good idea.

Ever notice car dealers locate next to each other ? Home Depot is next to A Lowes. Chain restaurants tend to build in a row. Obviously the Sumter County legislators don't feel traffic is maxed out on 466.

I can assure you a company like Costco has done due diligence for the “right” place to build their wholesale club. The right place for you and me might be clearly different than the best place for Costco to do business.

Perhaps maxing out 466 by Sumter County legislators is good for them but not so hot for the residents of The Villages. Time will tell.

I can say the same about building houses south of 466A.

I think, Rusty, The Villages residents in their golf carts are far different from the massive automotive influx from outside the perimeter. As I said time will tell and we'll hope for the best.

Many years ago, someone in my sphere wanted a certain pair of sunglasses for a gift (Birthday or Christmas - I can't remember). They were expensive for back then, something like $120. I told myself if I could find them cheaper at Costco (Price Club actually, before it was Costco) even after the membership fee of $30 or whatever it was then, I would join.

Well, they had the sunglasses for $80. So I paid the $30 membership plus the $80 item cost, and still saved $10. That type of saving for me has continued all these many years - especially with the 2% $120 membership. I save more than $60 on it each year so it is the same cost to me as the standard $60 membership, plus I save more.

Costco's primary business model isn't necessarily profit margin on selling things, it's selling memberships. That is why things are so much less, and that is why I continue to renew and shop there every year.

Ex: For the same price as the grocery store, I get a package of Charmin twice as big as that sold at the grocery store. I get new Michelin windshield wipers every year for $8 each, they are $30 at the auto parts store. For ten cents more than the half-gallon of milk I get at the grocery store I can get a full gallon at Costco. Just a few simple first-hand examples.

Truthfully however, I should delete this post. I mean, if I convince you to go there and join and shop there, then I have created even longer gas lines and a more crowded shopping experience than I would other wise get. So forget everything I said, you just keep shopping at Publix and BJs and I'll be perfectly happy!

What part are the commissioners playing?