[Flyers999]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

I still prefer a Costco than more apartments.

I'd rather have more apartments than lofts.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by thelegges

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

Different people, different patterns. I don’t live close so my only reason to visit is enough price difference to make it worthwhile. When I drive to Sam’s I buy gas, rotisserie chicken, several flats of soda, and whatever else we might be interested in like paper towel or frozen food or snacks.. I wouldn’t drive there for a steak (4x2.5” steaks would be bulk in my household), I would get that closer. The items I buy would not fit on my cart.

If I lived closer I would likely stop more frequently. For me, Costco is no closer.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Different people, different patterns. I don’t live close so my only reason to visit is enough price difference to make it worthwhile. When I drive to Sam’s I buy gas, rotisserie chicken, several flats of soda, and whatever else we might be interested in like paper towel or frozen food or snacks.. I wouldn’t drive there for a steak (4x2.5” steaks would be bulk in my household), I would get that closer. The items I buy would not fit on my cart.

If I lived closer I would likely stop more frequently. For me, Costco is no closer.

TV is the first place we have lived that didn’t have multiple Costco choices within 15-20 minutes or less. Much of our shopping arrives at our front door. Downside Good restaurants were 30- 40 minutes.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by thelegges

TV is the first place we have lived that didn’t have multiple Costco choices within 15-20 minutes or less. Much of our shopping arrives at our front door. Downside Good restaurants were 30- 40 minutes.

It was BJ's where I lived. Sam's was a half hour away and the was one Costco in Milford but it was on the Boston Post Road and what sane person would drive through the I-91/I-95 junction, through West Haven, into Milford, onto Rte 1, for a 50-pack of Pepsi when Walmart was just up the road from home and it was $2 cheaper?

And if you lived in New Haven county, or most of Connecticut, you would never go to Costco for a sub. There was a sub shop within 5 blocks of you, no matter where you lived. There were at least 3 restaurants of decent quality within a mile of home, unless you lived maybe in Danbury. But chances are, someone at the next farm could make better blueberry pancakes than any restaurant you'd ever go to anyway. Just trade them a quart of fresh raw milk and a basket of blueberries from YOUR farm, and you'll have breakfast for a week.

[tophcfa]

I’m more concerned with how it will affect golf cart traffic on Wedgewood going to/from Fresh Market, Tropical Smoothie, Walmart, etc…?

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

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?

301 already nightmare with bottle neck from CR42 to Summerfield. CR 42, CR 466, CR 484, and 30l all directions will be impacted. 466 and 301 intersections IMO can’t hardly handle traffic now due to turning lanes too short and not 2 lanes to turn north, south, and east on 301. This backs up traffic pass stop light at railroad tracks by Walmart. Not to mention when trains come? Also good luck getting through intersections in front Costco on side streets?

Also IMO the bottle neck after summerfield south should have been 4 lanes 10 years ago. Looks like they are working on bottleneck ( think they will be done before Costco’s opens?

As a former student at UF, I’d imagine anyone from Gainesville and beyond would go to the closer Costco in Jacksonville rather than drive further to TV.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

I’m more concerned with how it will affect golf cart traffic on Wedgewood going to/from Fresh Market, Tropical Smoothie, Walmart, etc…?

I travel through there every once in a while. I share that concern.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

As a former student at UF, I’d imagine anyone from Gainesville and beyond would go to the closer Costco in Jacksonville rather than drive further to TV.

From UF the Villages Costco will be just slightly closer.

60 miles, 70 minutes to the Villages
65 miles, 80 minutes to Jacksonville

By comparison, it is 30 miles and 37 minutes from Sawgrass to the Clermont Costco. Some people make that drive, others feel it's too far away. 37 minutes is about the same as driving from Ocala to the Villages. Some from Ocala will do that, others won't. Those living in Gainesville will be looking at twice the commitment.

[Marmaduke]

Originally Posted by CybrSage

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 can see it all now, comedy routines about Villagers with loofas dropping toilet paper along the roadways in The Villages.

[Switter]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

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.

I guess we will find out either way.

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

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.

I drive to Summerfield 3-4 times a week via 301 as I also live south of 44. The only other option is going Morse with all the roundabouts and at some point cutting over to 301. The worst part of 301 is the 2 lane portion south of 44, once you are past that it moves and you can time the traffic lights to keep moving reasonably well.

I will probably shop the new Costco when it opens but honestly I don’t go there that often that it’s a big deal. I don’t go on the weekend, I learned that lesson at Clermont!

If people would just slow down and realize getting someplace does not need to be a timed event it would help. After all most of us are at least semi-retired.

[pokeefe45@aol.com]

I'm cross referencing all the past posts about 'Why can't we get a Costco in The Villages'. Will publish the results when compiled. The waffler's and nayer sayer's (yes, I just made those words up) will be outed.

[Angelhug52]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

topspinmo....where is 446? did you mean 466? not near 301 either

They intersect. Aldi on sw corner. Just over train tracks

[MicRoDrafting]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Ok,
301 already nightmare with bottle neck from CR42 to Summerfield. CR 42, CR 466, CR 484, and 30l all directions will be impacted. 466 and 301 intersections IMO can’t hardly handle traffic now due to turning lanes too short and not 2 lanes to turn north, south, and east on 301. This backs up traffic pass stop light at railroad tracks by Walmart. Not to mention when trains come? Also good luck getting through intersections in front Costco on side streets?

BASED on Career EXPERIENCE;
as part of the Preliminary Process (way before initial permit application), especially when State and County Roads are involved, Traffic and Environmental Impact Studies MUST be Submitted to the Associated Authorities.

AND
these Studies always include Recommendations for Solutions concerning Impact to the Increase of Traffic.

AND BETTER YET
All the Alterations to the Impacted Intersections, including but not limited to, Extending or Doubling Left Turn Lanes, as well as Traffic Signal Timing, are part of the New Facility’s Financial Responsibility, and MUST be Completed Before the Facility Opens for Business.

Appears by the Overall Size of this Building, and length of time required for the construction process, there is Plenty of Time before the Roadwork Alterations need to begin …

… this is not based on opinion

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

I'm gonna stick with Sam's club a while longer. Y'all have fun.

Same here. We may have the place to ourselves.