There's a new Costco in Florida, and more coming.
A brand new discount warehouse known for cheap prices on bulk goods, pharmaceuticals, tires and eyeglasses — and the wildly popular $1.50 hot-dog-and-drink deal in the food court — is holding its grand opening Aug. 5 in The Villages with doors open at 8 a.m. and very little fanfare.
"Costco Grand Openings are always exciting and busy for our teams and communities," a Costco spokesperson told The Daily Commercial. "Because of this high level of excitement, we do not have any festivities, and the ribbon cutting is a very concise and quick process."
The new Florida location is one of seven opening in the United States in August, part of the company's plans to open 25-30 new locations every year split evenly between the U.S. and the rest of the world. Other openings this month include new stores in Texas, Nevada, Washington, Quebec, Ontario, and Mexico.
Here's what to know.
Where is the new Costco in Florida?
The Villages Costco will be at 675 Tatonka Terrace in the Buffalo Ridge Shopping Plaza next to County Road 466. It will encompass 162,000 square feet, including a 2,000-square-foot liquor store. Plans include 700 parking spaces and a gas station with 32 fuel pumps.
The Villages, the largest adult community in the United States, spreads across Sumter, Lake and Marion counties and six ZIP codes and was named the nation's fastest-growing metro area according to the most recent U.S. Census data and the safest place to live in Florida.
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When is the Costco in The Villages opening?
Doors open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Normal hours will be:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
What time does Costco open for executive members?
As of the end of June, executive members get to go inside and shop an hour earlier on weekday and Sunday mornings and an extra half-hour earlier on Saturdays.
What can I buy at Costco?
Like similar membership warehouse chains like Sam's Club and BJ's, Costco is famous for bulk items and wholesale prices. If you need batteries, you'd better be prepared to buy a couple dozen at a time. Ketchup comes in three-bottle units, potato chips are in bags big enough to feed the family, bottles of olive oil and honey could last you months, and why buy a chicken breast when you can get 10?
The warehouse is full of electronics like TVs and headphones, seasonal lawn furniture, sheds and a smattering of plants. Tables of clothes are flanked by aisles of kitchen appliances and various household goods, while a section of snacks offers big boxes and bags of sweet and salty treats.
One half of the place is devoted to aisles of pantry staples and popular foods, the frozen aisles provide a wide variety of ready-to-heat-up dinners, the bakery and meat departments offer oversized packages of inexpensive fresh baked goods and meat prepared on the premises, and huge stacks of inexpensive water, paper towels and toilet paper are in the back.
Different locations may have different stock, and Costco regularly rotates in new items.
The prices on name brands are generally lower than regular stores, but Costco also features its own, even cheaper Kirkland brand of just about everything that Costco fans swear is just as good. And outside, Costco's gas pumps generally beat any regular gas station's prices.
Members also get access to Costco's tire center, optical center, travel deals, pharmacy and hearing aid center. You can even buy pre-negotiated cars.
Do you have to be a member to shop at Costco?
Yes, with a few exceptions. There are two levels of membership:
Gold Star membership: $65 a year, includes two cards for you and someone in your household
Executive membership: $130 a year, includes two membership cards, 2% back on eligible purchases (up to $1,250), discounts on select services, and now early entry and a monthly $10 credit for orders of $150 placed through the company's "Same-Day" service or Instacart
Business memberships are also available for the same prices, with the option of allowing buyers to purchase for resale and add additional people to the account for $65 each.
According to the spokesperson, the new Villages Costco will offer a membership incentive to new members signing up for the first time or for people whose memberships have been expired for at least 18 months.
Memberships are not required to buy Costco Pharmacy prescriptions online or in-store; non-members can get eye exams but can't buy glasses or contacts.
Anyone can shop at costco.com, but there is a 5% surcharge for non-members and some items are limited to members only. You can also shop without a membership if you have a Shop Card, a prepaid Costco gift card which must be purchased by a member.
Where can I find a Costco near me in Florida?
As of Aug. 5, there are 35 Costco locations in Florida, including the new one in The Villages. You can see the list here.
The last one opened in Stuart in April. Another new Costco is reportedly coming to Sanford, and talks are in the works for more potential spots, including Port St. Lucie, Pensacola and Miami.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Costco opens new location in The Villages, here's what to know
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