Costco coming to Knoxville? (Farragut, Lenoir City: to rent, lawyer, living)

[Beretta]

GBH - the last time I was in Pittsburgh I asked them there the same thing!! LOL I was told that they are expanding to TN and other states (like TX) as well. Makes sense. And even if it doesn't, it'll make me happy

[jimlee]

Costco already has 2 stores in Nashville:

West Nashville
(Distance: 6.2 miles)
6670 Charlotte Pike
Nashville, Tennessee
37209http://www.costco.com/Images/en-US/Usercontrols/Warehouse/RedDot2.gif (broken link)Brentwood
(Distance: 14.4 miles)
98 Seaboard Lane
Brentwood, Tennessee
37027

[goodbyehollywood]

Well, there you go, it must be coming to Knoxville then. Why put a third in Nashville when you have a waiting market to expand into?

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by goodbyehollywood

Well, there you go, it must be coming to Knoxville then. Why put a third in Nashville when you have a waiting market to expand into?

I wrote to Costco a month or so ago, GBH, thinking that if enough people knocked on their door they might let us in!

I got a lovely note back from their marketing people who said that they were constantly looking for new, viable areas to locate a Costco Store. (This is where I really started to hyperventilate and get hopeful.)

The note concluded that there was no news that could be made public at that time, but that they planned on opening many new stores in 2008. Errrrrr.

[Exrvi]

A "friend of a friend" had a doctor's appointment with Dr Bob (who is also a local media personality). The subject of the large tract being developed along Rt 321 in Lenoir City came up. Apparetly, Dr Bob is the money behind the development and said Costco AND Publix were going to open stores there.

I've seen the tract (on the south side of 321 just after you get off 75 heading east towards Maryville) and it looks big enough. It also makes sense that Publix might move here since they are already a big presence in Nashville, and recently opened a store in Chattanooga. We had a discussion about Costco going to Turkey Creek a few months ago, but the info from Dr Bob is new since then and adds a new twist.

Any thoughts?

Jeff

[hiknapster]

Dr. Bob doesn't seem to be having much luck.

Finance plan for project denied : Business : Knoxville News Sentinel

[Brian]

This just came in: Flory: Real estate different role for doc

I much doubt retailers like Costco and Publix would put stores somewhere in least-populated areas like Loudon and Monroe counties before most-populated areas like Knox County.

Keep dreaming, Exrvi.

[Ucandoit]

I have regularly been going to the Costco website, and they have an employment section and it says when it comes to your area it will be listed on their website and at that time applications will be accepted.....!!!!

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Brian

This just came in: Flory: Real estate different role for doc

I much doubt retailers like Costco and Publix would put stores somewhere in least-populated areas like Loudon and Monroe counties before most-populated areas like Knox County.

Keep dreaming, Exrvi.

I agree completely. I'm sure the good doctor was merely speculating or doing some wishful thinking. Not only does Costco need to be in a more urban setting, but one with higher incomes than Loudon and Monroe counties. I could see Costco and Publix moving in to Blount County or even Sevier County long before Loudon and Monroe counties.

[Suzanne45]

Originally Posted by JMT

I agree completely. I'm sure the good doctor was merely speculating or doing some wishful thinking. Not only does Costco need to be in a more urban setting, but one with higher incomes than Loudon and Monroe counties. I could see Costco and Publix moving in to Blount County or even Sevier County long before Loudon and Monroe counties.

A Costco employee mentioned that Costco chooses store sites/location based on median income of $70,000 and 2.5 average size of family among other criteria when opening a new store.