Talk of The Villages Florida
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Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   The Villages, Florida, Non Villages Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/)
-   -   Opinion on Costco and 301 (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/opinion-costco-301-a-359397/)

CybrSage 06-15-2025 11:08 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2439220)
Judging from some other traffic complaints around the area, I think you give the City/County/State too much credit here. The MO seems to be:
- Approve it
- Build it
- Watch congestion build
- Receive complaints
- Insist that the roads are adequate based on a traffic study done ten years ago before the additional homes or businesses were even being considered
- Receive more complaints or cleanup an accident
- Commission a traffic study to determine what can be done about the sudden congestion

(In the city's/county's defense, they may need to wait for a traffic problem to justify a new traffic study and you never know how accurate the previous study was. Anticipating what people will do today based on the habits of people ten years ago has got to be tricky)
How long have you been a city planner? How many cities have you planned roadways for?

What road congestion fix you created are you most proud of?

SoCalGal 06-15-2025 11:19 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2439030)
Ok, my opinion looks like customers will be coming from all directions in central Florida to Costco’s off CR 446 and 301? Probably as far north as Gainesville or beyond?
Beginning June 30, Costco will be open one hour earlier for Costco customers who hold Executive Member cards.

Bill14564 06-15-2025 11:40 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CybrSage (Post 2439232)
How long have you been a city planner? How many cities have you planned roadways for?

What road congestion fix you created are you most proud of?
When did you last study reading comprehension?

shut the front door 06-15-2025 11:46 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakster66 (Post 2439109)
A bit dramatic, don’t you think?
Pearl clutching is an Olympic sport here.

Pugchief 06-15-2025 12:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Switter (Post 2439145)
I go to the one in Claremont, usually on a Saturday morning, and it's not bad at all. Plenty of parking and although 50 has a lot of traffic, it's not solely because of Costco. That's just a really busy road in general.
The difference is that 50 was built to accommodate heavy traffic and 466 was not. There are 3+ lanes in each direction on 50 and the speed limit is 45-55 mph. 466 is a highly congested road with inadequate lanes and a low speed limit in part due to the school. There is no legitimate comparison.

PurePeach 06-15-2025 01:08 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerseyGurl (Post 2439137)
I can’t wait.
Me either!

juddfl 06-15-2025 01:37 PM
I agree with you on this subject. I believe that everyone that doesn't like crowds, to wait a couple of months just till the ones that want to be the first to see it move on. I didn't notice a big traffic jam when BJ's or Sam's opened. Why don't people just relax, wait and see how it goes and then visit.

juddfl 06-15-2025 01:44 PM
I loved what you had to say. It made me laugh.

MplsPete 06-15-2025 02:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by thelegges (Post 2439118)
...Bonus Costco won’t have offer $25 memberships for new customers. So for a month or so most customers could be long standing Costco patrons, who will drive up to an hour to shop . . .
It seems Costco is now available (with a $50 gift card) for $65, so $15 effectively. Sams is $25, possibly $20 for seniors. An AI search engine (e.g. Gemini) will easily find these deals.

And yesterday, in my Walmart a lady at a table was offering half price Sams membership.

And if you just want to check them out, or buy a slice of pizza, or eat the free samples, here's 3 methods: In my state, they must allow you to enter, without membership, if you want to use the pharmacy. Or just walk up to someone entering and say, "Can I walk in with you? My spouse is inside shopping and has our membership card." Or go in the door for returns.

thelegges 06-15-2025 03:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CybrSage (Post 2439217)
I am always surprised when people say they will go to a bulk sales store in a vehicle that is so small it can barely hold products from a standard store.

Do people really buy those huge stacks of toilet paper, etc, with a golf cart?

Sounds self defeating...but if people do t and enjoy it, more power to them. :)
The average Costco local shopper isn’t just buying in bulk. They stop for a chicken for dinner, appetizers or desserts for a gathering a frozen mocha drink, takeout pizza, and fuel.

I would say 80% of the product we shop in Costco is not bulk. If I do choose paper towels I ship to my front door for free. Last week driving by Costco I stopped for frozen mocha new chicken sandwich on garlic ciabatta bread. I did buy 2.5” thick NY strip package of 4 but that not bulk either. Most item at Costco or Sam’s are the same quantity as Walmart. I consider bulk as a case or pallet

thelegges 06-15-2025 03:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MplsPete (Post 2439271)
It seems Costco is now available (with a $50 gift card) for $65, so $15 effectively. Sams is $25, possibly $20 for seniors. An AI search engine (e.g. Gemini) will easily find these deals.

And yesterday, in my Walmart a lady at a table was offering half price Sams membership.

And if you just want to check them out, or buy a slice of pizza, or eat the free samples, here's 3 methods: In my state, they must allow you to enter, without membership, if you want to use the pharmacy. Or just walk up to someone entering and say, "Can I walk in with you? My spouse is inside shopping and has our membership card." Or go in the door for returns.
Sometimes it help to read all the posts. We have shopped Costco in 4 states, 13 stores over 20+ years. What was Costco business membership is free for us plus hundreds of cash back every year. Not a fan of pizza or hot dog, the new chicken sandwich or the frozen strawberry lemonade. The berry smoothie will be greatly missed.

Michael 61 06-15-2025 03:38 PM
I’m south of 44. I already drive to Winter Garden every Sunday for church. Easy to stop by Costco on way back home (just did so a few hours ago). I drive to church down the Turnpike on Sunday mornings (traffic minimal that time of morning). Coming home after shopping Costco, I drive back on 27 and then connect with the Turnpike - bypasses all that construction. Easy. I don’t see myself shopping the new Costco way up north unless I happen to already be up there for some reason.

Regarding increase traffic on 301 - I see that happening too - for us Villagers, there is an easy work-around. Just stay off 301, it’s not even part of The Villages.

OrangeBlossomBaby 06-15-2025 06:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CybrSage (Post 2439217)
I am always surprised when people say they will go to a bulk sales store in a vehicle that is so small it can barely hold products from a standard store.

Do people really buy those huge stacks of toilet paper, etc, with a golf cart?

Sounds self defeating...but if people do t and enjoy it, more power to them. :)
I do. But I get my huge package of rolls from Staples, their store brand is less expensive than anywhere else and "soft and strong" enough for their intended purpose. I think it's something like 48 double-rolls in a package.

As for Costco, it has no effect on me personally. I don't live near it, and I have BJ's a few blocks from home to fill up my gas tanks, and buy any bulk items I might need. Their deli meats are pretty good too.

If they allow non-members to just - go to check out the place for the first week, I might go. I remember vaguely that one of these big-box stores used to allow non-members in, but they'd have to pay an upcharge to buy anything. No idea if they do now.

Salty Dog 06-15-2025 07:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by thelegges (Post 2439276)
The average Costco local shopper isn’t just buying in bulk. They stop for a chicken for dinner, appetizers or desserts for a gathering a frozen mocha drink, takeout pizza, and fuel.

I would say 80% of the product we shop in Costco is not bulk. If I do choose paper towels I ship to my front door for free. Last week driving by Costco I stopped for frozen mocha new chicken sandwich on garlic ciabatta bread. I did buy 2.5” thick NY strip package of 4 but that not bulk either. Most item at Costco or Sam’s are the same quantity as Walmart. I consider bulk as a case or pallet
Ditto...

coffeebean 06-15-2025 07:30 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakster66 (Post 2439109)
A bit dramatic, don’t you think?
My exact thoughts. LOL.


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