[arbajeda]

So consider alternate Costcos. Those in the Orlando area or Apopka might be closer but are difficult to get into and out of, the lots are almost always full and there are long lines at the gas pumps. But there is also one at Wesley Chapel. It’s about 15 miles further than Clermont but saves the $6.50 in tolls. Straight shot down I-75 to the Land O’ Lakes exit, on the left just past the outlet mall. And where car dealerships surround the Clermont location the Wesley Chapel location has lots of other retail in the area as well as a large number of restaurants. If you take a trip down there I recommend the Ford Garage (even if you’re a Chevy fan). We likely will go to Clermont once just to see what it’s like but our experience visiting other locations while travelling has been that they are all alike.

[Laker14]

I assume Costco puts their stores in high traffic areas for a reason. And I assume they then become a reason why other retailers, and restaurants pop up around them, and hence, congestion abounds wherever a Costco is.
I'd just as soon keep them an hour or so away and let those areas become ever more congested. 441 around the TV area is already congested enough.

[skippy05]

It's official, list your home today and move to Clermont

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by arbajeda

So consider alternate Costcos. Those in the Orlando area or Apopka might be closer but are difficult to get into and out of, the lots are almost always full and there are long lines at the gas pumps. But there is also one at Wesley Chapel. It’s about 15 miles further than Clermont but saves the $6.50 in tolls. Straight shot down I-75 to the Land O’ Lakes exit, on the left just past the outlet mall. And where car dealerships surround the Clermont location the Wesley Chapel location has lots of other retail in the area as well as a large number of restaurants. If you take a trip down there I recommend the Ford Garage (even if you’re a Chevy fan). We likely will go to Clermont once just to see what it’s like but our experience visiting other locations while travelling has been that they are all alike.

One doesn’t have to travel the turnpike to get to Clermont. According to Google taking other routes is within 2-3 miles more than the turnpike. Depending on the time of day, time is just a few minutes difference. We shop at WC Costco now, but the area is heavy traffic, restaurants seem to come and go with chains starting to be dominate, loosing more mom and pop, places.

As far as tolls we would stop on our way back from Disney, so paying the toll isn’t a problem.

[fcgiii]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Actually, from my house, it will be 19 minutes and 30 miles closer than the Wesley Chapel location.

Um. You drive over 90 mph?

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by fcgiii

Um. You drive over 90 mph?

Please have you not been on Turnpike ever.. 70 is a suggestion….80 is the norm.

We get to Disney in 50 minutes, Gainesville in 55.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by fcgiii

Um. You drive over 90 mph?

No, the 19 minutes is the time difference between going to the Wesley Chapel Costco and the Clermont Costco. Sorry, but I may not have worded the post as well as I could have. Where you live within The Villages can make a huge difference on which Costco is more convenient.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Clermont and the surrounding nearby areas has some great restaurants, and varieties of cuisines not available in The Villages - I’ll probably get into a routine of a weekly trip down there (stopping for lunch first, then shopping) - I’ve just started doing a monthly trip up to Gainesville to shop Trader Joe’s, and take advantage of doing lunch at some good restaurants up there - I can make that trip in 55 minutes each way.

We really miss TJ’s. Had three within 15 minutes at our former home, one just a five minute walk. Is Gainesville the closest one to us here? I’m in DeLuna.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Please have you not been on Turnpike ever.. 70 is a suggestion….80 is the norm.

We get to Disney in 50 minutes, Gainesville in 55.

Disney is a full hour with my hubby driving. He’s never been in a hurry no matter where we’re going, lol.

[wamley]

Still 56 Min from Village of Caroline.
Need one closer than that.

[Barbscats]

TJ in Orlando is on W SandLake Rd…lots of restaurants there too.

[jparsoneau@aol.com]

I am looking forward to a Costco. As I am not a big fan of Walmart, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s. Yes they are not that bad. But Costco is just 10 times better. As well as I am in the south area and all those stores that I mentioned are already 25 to 30 minutes away from me.
Looking forward to it

[maistocars]

Costco indicates it will be one of the biggest in Sq. footage of the Costcos. Yes!!!

[rrdsg]

The Winter Park TJs is 50 minutes from the toll road entrance on 301. Coming from the west, I was happy to find the store here. Sadly, they do not carry many of my favorite things from California and Nevada. I asked at the Winter Park store about the difference in products and they told me that a lot of the most popular items don't make it out of the west. Disappointing, but better than nothing.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy

We really miss TJ’s. Had three within 15 minutes at our former home, one just a five minute walk. Is Gainesville the closest one to us here? I’m in DeLuna.

Hi Nana- I had a Costco and TJ’s in the same shopping center just one mile from my home in Colorado. - would go to each several times per week.

I know there are a couple of TJ’s in the Orlando area, and technically they may be a bit closer than Gainesville. The TJ‘s in Gainesville is right off the first exit of I-75 once you get to Gainesville, so it’s a really easy up and back, not as congested as it can get once you get into the heart of Orlando.