Dear keepers of America’s superstore,
I don’t know if you remember me. About two years ago, I wrote
asking you to consider moving the phenomenon that is Costco to the
Garlic Capitol of the World.
Dear keepers of America’s superstore,
I don’t know if you remember me. About two years ago, I wrote asking you to consider moving the phenomenon that is Costco to the Garlic Capitol of the World.
Well, two years later, your doors have opened in our fair town. And as promised, we lined up to shop at your warehouse superstore.
Did you all get a glimpse of the crowd clamoring to get in at 8 a.m. Saturday? Ever since we’ve heard the news about Costco moving to Gilroy, we couldn’t wait to roll out the red carpet.
Of course, my husband, Chris, our daughter, Emma, and I were a little late getting out the door. You see, with a 2-month-old running the show telling time kind of loses its relevance.
However, at noon your store was still hopping. But I was ready. I had laced up my comfiest sneakers and pulled on my stretchiest sweatpants. Shopping in your store definitely is a contact sport. Especially when opening day is a Saturday.
There is a strategy to shopping at Costco. If you’re going with a friend, grabbing two carts and starting at opposite corners of the store works best. I like working down the side aisles where there’s less traffic. And a cell phone is a must. One could easily get lost in your store. Not that that happened to me. But my Nokia did come in handy when I was searching for my husband.
“Hi, where are you?” I asked him.
“I’m in the wine section. Where are you?” he said.
“I’m in the wine section,” I said.
Chris had been swallowed up by the throngs of shoppers. Even though less than 25 feet separated us, it might as well have been a few football fields. But then suddenly the seas parted, and he reappeared.
And like the rest of the shoppers who came from near and far, we packed our carts to the gills with rolls of paper towels, cases of Diet Coke, boxes of diapers, bottles of Advil and bags of frozen chicken breasts. We made it out in less than an hour and a half. I think that’s some kind of record. I won’t, however, disclose our receipt. Let’s just say it’s below $500 and leave it at that.
So, thank you Costco. Thank you for no more drives to San Jose or Salinas to buy a case of water or a new hairdryer. Thank you for the option of buying bulk conveniently on a weekday.
Perhaps, not every Saturday will look like last week’s in your store. But I promise you this – you won’t be sorry you came to Gilroy.
Still a loyal Costco shopper,
Kelly Barbazette
P.S. Can I offer one suggestion? How about serving free sushi samplers at one of your corner food stations? Just a thought.
