Costco coming to Knoxville? (school, college, to move)

[bayshoredev8]

Don't get too excited E. TN. does not have any Publix stores, Kroger is the closest thing and it does not come close in cleanliness or qaulity and service. Maybe compare it to a ten year old Winn Dixie. Anyone from FL. knows theres only one place to purchase qaulity food.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by bayshoredev8

Don't get too excited E. TN. does not have any Publix stores, Kroger is the closest thing and it does not come close in cleanliness or qaulity and service. Maybe compare it to a ten year old Winn Dixie. Anyone from FL. knows theres only one place to purchase qaulity food.

Plus Publix makes THE best sandwiches!!!!

[TedTAce]

Originally Posted by jimj

Plus Publix makes THE best sandwiches!!!!

Absolutely correct!!!

By the way, is it just me or has this whole thread without a single credible link to the 'fact' that Costco is comming?

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by TedTAce

Absolutely correct!!!

By the way, is it just me or has this whole thread without a single credible link to the 'fact' that Costco is comming?

I sent an email to Costco Corporate about a week ago and just received this reply this evening:

Dear G----, (my correction)

Thank you for your email to Costco Wholesale.

Currently we do not have any public information regarding plans to open a Costco in your area.
Our real estate department is continually looking for ideas for new locations around the country and around the world.
We will forward your suggestion to our Real Estate Department so they are aware of your interest.

Thank you,

Brenda
Costco Wholesale Corporation
memberservice@costco.com

Now, THAT should clear it up for us!

[jimj]

The cue is "public information". If someone knows anyone at the county offices a permit/zoning would have to be applied for or at least looked into so they would know before anyone what new business's are to be built. They don't like to reveal their plans because some landowners could play games with prices where they're looking to locate among other reasons.

[the4pits]

This is how Costco operates. They will not make a public announcement about the new location until construction is well underway because they do not want to let on to their competition where they are going. Has anybody seen the proposed Turkey Hill sight, and does it look like the area is ready to begin construction?

[luvmyanimals]

I do hope they come....I love the place. I would love to see Publix come, I miss the Boarhead subs...YUM.

[gemkeeper]

Jimj and 4pits, you are both so right with your comments. I have worked with town engineering and planning (in MA - won't help in this case.) and some of these commercial projects are in the works for 2 or 3 years before any real construction beings.

It is public record, however, and open to anyone's inspection. I would start with the assessors or tax collector's offices. The assessors records are public information and list every deed transfer usually within 30 days of closing. The tax collector office get their share as soon as humanly possible, and their info is open to public inspection. If the property has been purchased by any corporation, they will be collecting.

You don't even have to give a reason for asking about it. So, if someone lives close-by and is curious enough, maybe you could check it out and give us the low-down.

[jimj]

Hopefully they aren't as sneaky as Wal-Mart. They use multiple shell companies to buy realestate and will buy in many locations around the area they are investigating sometimes a few years in advance to hide where they're going. This is happening where we now live and everyone's runing around trying to figure out where they're going....

[gemkeeper]

Very likely the same scenario with Costco, jimj. I know that is how Home Depot and Lowe's operate.

Lowe's in particular. In every area that we have lived in around the country, it seems that we have had an established Home Depot for some number of years. Then, viola, within a mile or two, up pops a Lowe's to try to grab some of the market.

I'm sure there is a lot of marketing stradegy involved that I do not fully understand. I would think that one would locate in an area that would not have the competiton a mile away (unless Lowe's is out shooting for bear)!