Inside Costco: New store generating big 'buzz' in the Ann Arbor area
All Team catering employee Chris Akers, left, serves a taquito to Saline resident Carol McCullough during the Costco preview opening on Thursday evening.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Heilman was coming back to Ann Arbor, where she grew up, to live and work for the summer.
“At first, I was really nervous — so were my parents — because at first it was hard to find a job,” Heilman said.
Inside of Costco on the Thursday preview opening.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Costco has a portion of the store where it sells clothing, including designer jean brand 7 For All Mankind.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
“I applied to a lot of places but they weren’t calling me back, or I was offered an on-call position. So when I heard about this, I was really, really excited.”
Heilman was one of nearly 4,000 people who applied for about 180 positions at the new store, which is located near the corner of State and Ellsworth roads in Pittsfield Township. The 150,000-square-foot discount store and gas station is set to open 8 a.m. today.
Warehouse manager Bill Linfield said all employees are hired, shelves are stacked and the store is 99 percent ready to go. Costco hosted an invite-only preview of the store Thursday night.
“I’ve prepared for a pretty big opening,” he said. “There’s been such a buzz in the Ann Arbor area that I’m expecting a pretty good turnout.”
Hundreds of people swarmed the store from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening to browse and sample food. No purchases can be made until 8 a.m. Friday.
Linfield said the Pittsfield Township store’s layout is similar to the Washington-based company’s other warehouse stores across the country: “There’s not anything surprising or gimmicky about what we do. It’s a warehouse with concrete floors and pallets on the floor.”
Dozens of flat-screen televisions line the entrance of the new store, with various products mixed together in a seemingly random order. From giant stuffed teddy bears to designer jeans and kayaks, Costco has a broad selection of merchandise.
It also has a small food court area, deli and bakery, pharmacy, hearing aid center, wireless phone kiosk, photo center and optometrist.
Linfield said customers must have memberships — which range from $55 to $110 annually — to shop at the store, including at the grand opening on Friday. A handful of people are stationed outside the store to set them up for people.
He said the store, which took 10 months to build after its plans were approved by Pittsfield Township in August 2011, is a big victory for Costco.
“It’s a city we wanted to be in,” he said. “It’s energetic. There’s a good group of folks that live here. If you look at the demographics, the college, the town of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township; it’s great and it seemed like a perfect fit for us.”
Read more about the new Costco store here.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
huh7891
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:34 p.m.
I don't get it..big , bigger and biggest..buy bulk..buy more..biggee size. No wonder America has an epidemic of obesity.
JRW
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.
I was there today and having not been to a Costco before, it was a good experience. Lots and lots of free food samples, bottles of water, a $10 gift certificate if you signed up for a membership, and a lot of different inventory. People working there were very upbeat, which is nice to see in a big box store. Prices were varied. On some food items, prices were a pretty good deal, on others, not so much. You do need to think in Army portions. All items are packaged in large quantities, which can work for some things. They had a lot of gourmet items, which was surprising. One interesting observation, as I pulled into their parking lot, I followed a Mercedes and a beemer, saw many Audis parked in the lot, along with several Jags, and other fancy cars (huge Lincoln Suvs, etc). No shortage of upscale shoppers today at Costco......Not sure why a Costco would attract this crowd, but the store was certainly packed early in the day.
Doug
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 7:33 p.m.
Costco is wonderful place to shop. I shop at the Brighton store. The products they offer are quality, the workers are extremely friendly and helpful, the lines progress very fast because they are so organized. I've never had a store brand (Kirkland) that wasn't top of the line. Produce is always fresh because of the quick turnover.
Ann English
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 2:34 a.m.
Kirkland sounds like a store brand sold at Aldi's. You already have me thinking that other food brands that I used to think were exclusively sold at Kroger's are sold at Costco too. I haven't forgotten how surprised I was to see Frieda's produce sold at the Saline Walmart Supercenter; I thought only Kroger sold Frieda's brand of food. Berryhill, Friendly Farms, Southern Grove, Beaumont, Nature's Nectar, Sea Queen....any of these could be at Costco, I expect. They are sold at Aldi's.
Commoncents
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
Thanks for the picture! I chuckled to myself at the people helping themselves.
Ricardo Seir
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
Pittfields Township gain...Scio Township loss by not approving this store years a go.
NoPC
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:17 p.m.
I think this is a great thing for Pittsfield Twp! The amount of new business generated that will be generated by this store is going to be a great revenue source for the township and businesses. I wish they would have just approved Menard's on Carpenter Road. Scio Twp got that one!
1201SouthMain
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:57 p.m.
Do you have to purchase a membership to get into the store and look around or just if you're going to actually purchase something?
jns131
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
Plus the coupons you get? You have to be a member to use them. So I tossed them in the recycle bin.
John Baker
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:40 p.m.
I worked at a Costco for awhile - you do not need a membership to enter the store. If you want to browse, just say that you're purchasing liquor or visiting the pharmacy. They have to let you in.
Lizzy Alfs
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
You show your membership card to employees at the door as you're walking in. But from what I saw, it looked like they were being lenient on letting people in today to browse. You can't purchase without a membership, though.
sad2leave
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.
I would sure like to know the ages, experience/education of those 180 that were hired?? I worked at Sam's Club for 3 years with great references and excellent job performance. I have a 2 year associates degree and also own a small landscape business. I didn't even get a chance to interview. They didn't even bother to send me a "Thanks for your interest in applying to COSTCO" Not very professional guys! Oh well, congrads to the few that made the cut! Guess my age was a strike against me : (
JRW
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
Age discrimination is a real issue. I wonder, however, how they would know your age if they didn't even interview you. It's illegal to ask for a date of birth on a job app, and anyone over 40 shouldn't be putting the dates of degrees, etc., on a resume or app. The fact that you have the degree is enough, the date it was awarded isn't necessary information, since it can tell your age. Same with HS grad date. Leave it off. You graduated with a diploma, and that's all they need to know. My son applied to Trader Joes and I saw an app, and it didn't ask for any info that would reveal age. If Costco's app asked for dates, people should leave them off. Age discrimination is illegal.
sad2leave
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
Thank you Jsn for your support. I am a good employee regardless of my age! I am in good health and try to stay that way. I will proably have to work till the day I die due to mounting bills and no insurance! : (
jns131
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.
The problem with age discrimination is that you won't know. If you are hired by someone else? Great. I love my job and get summers off if I want them. Otherwise, good luck in getting a job.
sad2leave
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
Thanks justcurious!
justcurious
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.
I'm sorry you didn't get hired. 4000 applicants, if that is true, is an amazing number. If they are discriminating with age though, that is wrong. It would be interesting to see the makeup of who got hired. Easily done by going there and asking to browse. I do know Sams hires all ages.
Modern_Atheist
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.
Not everyone is aware of this but just so you know you do not need a membership to purchase alcohol! State minimum prices in bulk!! You can also grab some free food samples while you're there!!
Madeleine Borthwick
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.
thank you for the heads-up, I'll remember this when New Year's eve rolls around and pass the info to my tippling friends(I don't drink m'self).
Leah Gunn
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:52 p.m.
That would be "order" of course.
Leah Gunn
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:52 p.m.
Go to ThinkLocalFirst and you will find a web site which lists 256 local businesses and non-profits, in alphabetical orser, from 16 hands to Zingerman's. You can also search by type of business. Buy local - the profits stay here in our community.
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.
Yes, Zingerman's is exceptional in its local philanthropy. I have a ton of respect for them. I'm going after the broad perception that larger companies are somehow automatically detrimental to the overall economic well-being of the community. At one point I opened up a one-person repair business fixing appliances. Master Tech was 10 times bigger than me. However, I offered some services that were superior to theirs and so I thrived nonetheless. I didn't lament having to compete with their size and efficiencies of scale. I exploited their inherent weaknesses of being large by offering a type of personalized service that people were willing to pay more for. That can be true for many different types of business. It's true that many poorly run or outdated, or irrelevant businesses go under when a new player comes to town. But, it isn't always that way.
Madeleine Borthwick
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 4:28 p.m.
thank you Leah, I'll check it out.
Danai
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3 p.m.
I'm not "pushing" Zingerman's here but yes, some of their profits do flow to us/Ann Arbor. Look at the support--including their time and dollars--that Paul and Lori Saginaw give to community events, youth programs, etc. I'm not saying that non-local businesses don't give to the local community but I bet that local businesses are more likely to be involved in the community and give back in a variety of ways, other than solely providing the job. I'm not anti-Costco's--I even had a membership last year but didn't renew because I just didn't make the drive to Brighton often enough to make renewing worthwhile--but I'd bet that more of Zingerman's profits stay here in AA than Costco's profits do.
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
Actually, the profits go to the shareholders. If you own stock in a publicly traded company and it earns a profit, some of those profits will flow to you - and you might live in Pittsfield Township. If you shop at Zingerman's - even though they're a great store and a solid local corporate citizen, none of the profits flow to you. And, as wonderful as the owners of Zingerman's are, they might be spending some or all of their profits vacationing in Italy. You really don't know what is happening to the profits of local businesses. Costco has spend an enormous sum of money already in Pittsfield Township and over the first 6 months of business will likely contribute more to the bottom lines of local residents than the next 30 local businesses combined.
justcurious
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
Some of us can't afford to buy local. 16 Hands and Zingerman's cater to a more well-heeled crowd than many folks.
Lac Court Orilles
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.
Buying local is "very" important! Money stays here when purchases are made local. I'm, however, glad to see Costco arrive because Sham's Club and Walmarty need competition. Haven't heard that Costco taught any of the new employees how to apply for welfare like Walmarty does. Costco isn't for everyone. According to recent national television program on Costco, the average demographic for a customer shopping there makes over $100,000 income per year. If you are a smart shopper, why in the world would you ever pay money to shop somewhere? Meijers or Sears won't force you to pay to shop at their store, so if you want to waste your money, by all means throw it away! It's your money and you have a legal right to be stupid!
Epengar
Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 3:49 a.m.
@Chris Hall, there are several peer-reviewed economic analyses that have found that locally-owned small businesses add more to the local economy than large national chains. This page has lots of references, http://www.livingeconomies.org/aboutus/research including this one: Does Local Ownership Matter?, April 2011, by David A. Fleming and Stephan J. Goetz, Economic Development Quarterly Key finding: Fleming and Goetz present one of the first nationwide studies showing that local ownership truly matters. This peer-reviewed statistical analysis shows a positive correlation between locally owned small to medium-sized businesses and increasing community wealth, as measured by per capita income growth. On the other hand, larger firms, especially when they are not locally owned have a negative link to local community wealth. The Andersonville study is another important one. You can download it here, along with lots of other analyses: http://www.civiceconomics.com/library/ It may be that some locally-owned businesses don't contribute much to the local economy, but most of them do, significantly more than the chains do.
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
Epangar, Yes, I agree that a local business employs people locally and that much of the expense of running the business stays local. I'm president of a large company in Canton and we certainly spend a lot of money locally. However, I'd wager that the Home Depot down the street spends far more locally than we do. They use all sorts of local business to supply their operation, staff their store, heat their building and so on. You can buy stock in Costco or Home Depot and be a part owner of those corporations, then more of the profits ends up in the local community. Not so for privately run small businesses. My point is that there is no way to know for sure if the local business one supports out of loyalty is in fact worthy of that loyalty. Many local businesses don't give back at all to the community, don't pay for any road work, don't employ many people and don't pay those employees well. Of course, many do all of those things. But, it's hard to know which is which. My comments really have to do with people making broad statements about "local" businesses as though just because they're small and are headquartered here they're somehow better for the local economy. I don't think that's a fair or accurate assessment.
Epengar
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
@Chris Hall: a local business has local employees, who pay local taxes and are part of the local economy. Even if the local business sells goods made elsewhere, or spends the profits elsewhere, the payroll and other overhead costs of running the business are paid locally. A big national or multi-national chain has headquarters elsewhere, so a bigger proportion of overhead and payroll gets spent in some other state.
Ron Granger
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
The products are meijer and sears are generally inferior to costco. And the prices are higher. I no longer shop at meijers because of their illegal tactics in Northern Michigan to get stores built.
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
Why do you think that "money stays here" when people buy locally? That store owner might have bought all of her merchandise from out of state, and she might spend all of her profits overseas. Local businesses don't automatically benefit local citizens. In fact, I'd venture to say that they often don't. Companies set up shop in a local community to make money off of you and me. Where they buy the stuff they sell and what they do with the profits is up to them. There are some truly local businesses, but they are extremely rare.
Ron Granger
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:21 p.m.
Btw, both Sams and Costco allow members to cancel their membership at any time and get a full refund. Both stores really go above and beyond for customer satisfaction. So Sam's customers who'd like to try switching to Costco can do so without penalty. You may also be able to get a free one-time voucher to try Costco.
Jake C
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 3:55 a.m.
Um, I have a Costco membership and I've never had to show my membership card when entering the Brighton store. Is the Ann Arbor store different? Costco allows you to buy certain products (mostly just beer, as far as I know) without having a membership, for the same price as members.
Ron Granger
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
Zeeba, you point about poorly staffed checkouts at the ypsi Sam's is absolutely true. That has been a major gripe. I've been there at the 5PM rush and they have two checkouts open. I've also been in the bakery section when no workers were on duty and they had no in store baked products. I was told they had reached their max hours and Sams would not authorize overtime. I have not experienced that at Costco. As for boxes or bags, you must always bring your own. Simply plan ahead. I bring a cooler bag for my cold stuff. Carding is always mandatory at the door. It's a hassle but it keeps non-member riff-raf out. The photo ID system gives them some amount of security against shoplifters.
zeeba
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.
Above and beyond? You're joking, right? I don't know much about Costco, but I'm just about ready to shred my Sam's Club card for their lousy customer service. Not only do they card you at the door like an S.S. officer asking for your papers (you can't buy anything without a card, so what's the point?), you have to scrounge through the bins for boxes to carry your purchases in, and can never find decent ones, they are continually understaffed at the registers and routinely discontinue major items they deem "seasonal" (Chai tea is seasonal????).
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
I didn't know that. Thanks for the info Ron.
Ron Granger
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:19 p.m.
I prefer to support local, but when I'm buying goods shipped in from afar, Costco is great. Hate Sam's. Love Costco.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:02 p.m.
If you want to contribute to global warming, shop at COSTCO and WalMart. The sun thanks you in advance.
Wolf's Bane
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 11:29 p.m.
Global Warming because CostCo has to ship everything from the other side of the World and that means burning fossil fuels to get you those "deep" discounts.
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:45 p.m.
Global warming for shopping at Costco? I don't understand this statement. It's far more efficient to heat and cool one big store than it is to heat and cool the equivalent square footage of 20 smaller stores. Our building is about 30 times bigger than my home but the heating bill is only 15 times more. As for the contents of the store, it's the same product you'd find at any number of stores.
badboybobbybrown
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:23 p.m.
And I thank the sun in advance for its next 500 billion years of service. See you soon costco.
justcurious
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:53 a.m.
Having shopped at both places, I prefer Sam's Club. I found the merchandise was very mixed up at the Costco store in Brighton. Clothes in with produce, etc. This whole Walmart/Sam's Club hating thing is ridiculous. What makes you think that Costco pays their employees any better? Walmart/Sam's has brought jobs to places where there here very few before. The merchandise is always top quality at the Sam's Club also. Their baked goods are second to none. I had to buy a membership at Costco in order to buy a well priced shed.
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:39 p.m.
Justcurious - you said "second to none" I agree that Sam's has decent baked goods for the price but the quality of Sam's baked goods doesn't really compare with Zingerman's bread for example.
jns131
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
I stand next to justcurious. I too love my Sams Club and Wal Mart and won't shop any where else.
Madeleine Borthwick
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
justcurious, I don't shop at costco either. there is something patently ridiculous about having to pay money for the privilege of shopping at their PRECIOUS store. there are too many stores who don't charge me to shop. as for walmart/sam's club, i have talked to enough former employees who said they were treated like something-I-can't type here to EVER want to shop there.
justcurious
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.
Chris, you are comparing apples to oranges. Whole Foods and Zingerman's baked goods are extremely expensive. $4 for a brownie? And Busch's? High priced for not much value. $9 8 inch pie...
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
I've shopped at least a hundred times at Sam's over the years. I don't think they're baked goods are "second to none." I think Whole Foods baked goods are far better - and Zingerman's, and Busch's. However, for the price they're hard to beat.
OLDTIMER3
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:13 p.m.
I think Sams stinks. I went in and bought about $200 dollars worth of merchandise with no problem. But I fotgot one item I needed and when I went to go back in to purchase it I was told I couldn't enter because I didn't have the Business card and I was to early for the regular card. I gave them my card which I had just recently renewed and I was never offered a refund. I won't step foot into another Shams Club.
justcurious
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.
Also craijjs, go look in your closet. Check the labels on everything around you? Were are your things made? Go anywhere to buy your Chinese products, Walmart or Zingerman's.
justcurious
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.
Ever buy a product and then look at the reviews? The same thing is happening here. My assessment and Ron Granger's assessment are definitely at odds. How can that be? We are individuals and perceptions are different. As for craifjjs, you can find anything online to support your view. Who's to say the information provided on Wiki is correct? Go read the Walmart article.
Ron Granger
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
I suffered with Sam's for years. Sam's club products are off-brand and off-quality. The selection is low-brow. Costco products are far superior. Selection is better. They target a customer who is looking for high quality. Their products are often better than those available at other local markets or best buy. Not all costcos are the same. The inventory varies depending on the local customer base. Getting excellent coffee that was just roasted in store, still warm, is great. We may not get that here.
craigjjs
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:08 p.m.
If you are committed to supporting the Chinese economy, that's your business. Are you sure Walmart treats its employees as well as Costco? "Similar to a union contract, the [Costco] Employee Agreement sets forth such things as benefits, compensations, wages, disciplinary procedures, paid holidays, bonuses, and seniority. As of March 2011, non-supervisory hourly wages ranged from $11.00 to $21.00 in the United States" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costco#Labor_relations
smokeblwr
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:52 a.m.
Will there be beer?
Modern_Atheist
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
i'm assuming they'll have everything from pints to half gallons like most other costo stores do.
smokeblwr
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:47 p.m.
How big are the liquor bottles? Because I have BIG plans and need big bottles.
Modern_Atheist
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
not sure about beer but there's definitely liquor, and you don't even need a membership to purchase it!!
Lizzy Alfs
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.
I walked around and around the store, but actually did not notice whether or not there was beer. There was definitely wine and liquor, though. And yes, @Chris Hall, there are lots of free samples.
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
Good question, and will there be free samples?
sirotan
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
I'd actually like to know this as well. From what I've heard their pricing on certain breweries is excellent, especially if you want to buy the gift sets with glasses.
Elijah Shalis
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:47 a.m.
I wouldn't call Costco jeans designer, that is just lying.
Modern_Atheist
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 11:32 a.m.
well someone designed every pair of jeans on the market, the term designer is usually comprised of high end fashion designers such as Hilfiger, or Dolce/Gabanna, I could care less about fashion so there's not many more designers I'd be able to list.
whojix
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.
Well someone designed them.
Modern_Atheist
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
Who needs designer jeans anyways?? I spend $10 a year on jeans from forever 21 and they're wonderful. I'm glad i never cared about brand names... it's kind of a ridiculous idea unless you're a jersey shore star or something.
Lizzy Alfs
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:25 p.m.
They have designer brand 7 For All Mankind right now!
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
I guess someone designed them but I'm going to have to agree with you Elijah.
Brad
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:52 a.m.
Au contraire. I have Costco jeans and they are signed by that famous designer Kirkland.
Diane
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:17 a.m.
So what are their hours? You always mention new places, but no hours posted or addresses?
Lizzy Alfs
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.
Sarah's got it! Thanks.
ssannarbor
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:05 p.m.
Warehouse Hours: M-F 10:00am - 8:30pm Sat. 9:30am - 7:00pm Sun. 10:00am - 6:00pm Address: 771 Airport Blvd Pittsfield, Michigan 48108 United States
A2comments
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:19 a.m.
www.Costco.com
Diane
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:08 a.m.
WELCOME, we love Costco:)
Les Gov
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 10:43 a.m.
Costco Gas station was open last night selling gas at $3.33/gallon
Ann English
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 2:15 a.m.
I decided to look at this article about Costco's opening after noticing that THEIR gas station is listed at Gas Buddy (annarborgasprices.com), right there with the other cheapest gas-priced stations. I wonder if people have to pay an annual fee to use the station? Meijer doesn't require any sort of fee for people to use their gas stations, and neither does Kroger.
jns131
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 5:35 p.m.
Try Ypsilanti. Near Michigan and Ecorse. I always get cheap gas there.
alarictoo
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.
@Kara - No. Actually, the area's lowest price for months has been the Citgo at the corner of Ellsworth and Platt.
OLDTIMER3
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
@ Paula, I disagree with that statement , both of the stations at the corner of Michigan ave and Carpenter rds have been cheaper than that speedway station at Ellsworth and State.
J
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
Kara H
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:36 a.m.
Nope. That speedway has been the area's low price seller for many months.
Paula Gardner
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:32 a.m.
I believe Speedway at the Ellsworth corner was $3.36 - looks like Costco could be influencing some price competition already.
LuLzTrollFTW
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 10:39 a.m.
DEATH to WALmart! ARRR!!!
jns131
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 5:34 p.m.
Sorry but I love my Wal Mart. As for Costco? Just another warehouse competing with Sams Club.
Mary Ferguson
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 10:33 a.m.
Yay!!! No more having to drive to Brighton or Livonia!
jns131
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 5:33 p.m.
Staying with our Sams club. These two seem no different then any other warehouse in the area.
Halter
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 10:16 a.m.
Yeah Costco! See you later this morning!
Pablo
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 10:11 a.m.
...still prefer supporting local businesses.
Modern_Atheist
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.
I'd rather spend $15 on 10 sandwiches at costco instead of $15 on one mediocre sandwich at zingermans any day!!
Chris Hall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:25 p.m.
What is a "local business?" Is it when the owner lives in the area? What if that owner takes every dime of profit and sends it to their relatives in Lebanon? or Syria? If I buy at Costco I'm more likely to support local citizens. The person working behind the counter is almost certain to spend every dime locally. The owner of Zingerman's or Nicola's? Maybe, but I know for a fact that the owners of Zingerman's do a ton of travel finding other cool, expensive things from other countries for us to buy. So, they spend a ton in foreign countries finding stuff, then they buy all of this delicious foreign food from foreigners, then we buy it at ridiculously high prices, and then the profits go where? Shopping at Zingerman's is no more certain to support locals than shopping at Costco.
Homeland Conspiracy
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
And some how you think it's important for you to tell us...
Tom Smith
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 10:55 a.m.
Oh, absolutely. But, unlike WalMart, CostCo doesn't try to be all things to all people. You go there for deals, for bulk purchases, for some services, and for cheap pizza & hot dogs. ;) I love CostCo, but they're not going to get any of my money that would otherwise go to, say, Zingerman's or Nicola's Books.