COSTCO Shoppers — Get Ready! Costco Opening Soon in Bradenton, Florida
Manatee County’s first Costco, one of the most-anticipated new businesses coming to the Bradenton area, is scheduled to open at 8:00 am on Aug. 21st.
The Costco’s new wholesale warehouse, part of a more than 300,000 square foot retail development at 805 Lighthouse Drive in Bradenton, FL is very close to completion. The project, called the Market Place is located at Heritage Harbour on the northeast corner of State Road 64 and Interstate 75.
Did you know that Costco is one of the largest retailers in the world? As of March 2019 Costco has 770 warehouses worldwide. Costco has long been known for selling bulk quantities of high quality foods and other consumables at discount prices. And, Costco will not stock a product if they feel the wholesale price is too high. If you have been in a Costco store recently did you notice that the aisles are not labelled? And, do you know the reason for that? Costco strategy is that we, their customers will wander the aisles searching for what we came for while putting more items in our carts along the way. The same reason Costco places popular items at the back of their store, again more items placed in our carts, not necessarily what we came for, while we go in search for what we really came to buy. In comparison it is actually easier to find a product in Costco than their Walmart competitor. For example, Costco stores display 4000 products open layout compared to Walmart’s approximately 100,000 products displayed in somewhat cluttered aisles. Certainly something to think about on your next shopping trip. And then there is Costco’s legendary free samples. Yes, you can stand in line to fill up on bites of glazed salmon, sausage bites, spoonfuls of yogurt, crackers and cream cheese and so much more.
No matter what Costco’s strategy is, I don’t know about you, but I love Costco. And not just because of the free samples – you see there is a 99% chance you will not find me in a Costco free samples line-up. I have nothing against the free samples, I actually think it is a great way to ‘try before you buy’ a new product, but I just don’t enjoy standing in those line-ups.
You might be wondering, on your one week vacation with Anna Maria Island Condo Rentals, why would you want to shop at a huge warehouse and buy bulk items? The answer is simple, you might not, but there is a lot more to visiting a Costco warehouse than free samples and buying bulk-sized everything. From the health and beauty items, good deals on men’s, ladies and kids clothing, yummy fresh treats from their bakery, I usually manage to find something different in one of the many Costco departments. Oh, and how about the $5.00 Costco Rotisserie Chicken? Pair with a salad and you have an easy meal because really, who wants to cook when they’re on vacation – not me!
As well, many of our guests are staying with us longer than one week and prefer a one stop shopping experience which Costco provides. And, I would never forget to mention our ‘Snowbirds’ — they love to stock up on items for their lengthy visit allowing themselves more time to enjoy the beach, pool and other activities.
Here are a few things I definitely think are worth going to Costco for —
Eggs – you can get everything from conventional to free-range eggs, all at a lower cost than at many other grocery stores.
Costco’s Food Court – Filling and inexpensive it’s hard to pass by without stopping at the food court. Choose from cheese, pepperoni or veggie pizza, frozen yogurt, chicken Caesar salads, chicken bake, turkey provolone sandwiches, organic beef-based cheeseburgers, hot dogs or for those who don’t eat meat, try a plant-based açai bowl. For some shoppers it’s all about the hotdog and sofa, and it really is a deal!— since 1985, the price of the soda and hot dog combo has remained at $1.50.
Cheese – Fancy Cheeses, delicious! The Costco’s cheese aisle offers a variety of high quality cheese and you can get a large piece for a good price.
Costco’s ‘Kirkland’ – Great quality house brand products under their own name. Costco’s Kirkland Signature label offers everything from cereal and olive oil to dress shirts and vitamins. And when they are packaged with the Costco store brand – Kirkland Signature the discounts are sweet.
Rotisserie Chicken – The $5 rotisserie chicken is a loss-leader for Costco, but a bargain for us hungry consumers.
Meat – Their meat department is always well stocked with fresh, very good quality products.
Gasoline – The Costco gasoline station is easy to use, straight in and straight out and gas is typically 6 cents or more per gallon cheaper than other stations.
Beer, Wine and Liquor – Costco sells many alcohol, wine, beer, & spirits under the Kirkland Signature label for great prices.
Other than a brand new, brightly lit, impeccably clean warehouse what else can Bradenton consumers expect with the upcoming arrival of Costco?
A large variety of services will be available — According to latest reports, the site plan for Market Place include — the Hair Cuttery, Amazing Lash Studio, dental office, several restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Miller’s Ale House, Longhorn Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Blaze Pizza, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Jersey Mike’s Subs and more!
Remember, Costco is a membership warehouse club. Memberships are available online and in Costco stores.
If you already have a Costcomembership card it is valid at any Costco warehouse in the world. Just make sure you tell the cashier that it is an international card and they will input a special code for you to use your card.
So, when you visit Bradenton’s brand new Costco what will you be buying?
Maybe I’ll see you there, just don’t look for me in one of the food samples line-up.
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