Costco Business Center grand opening???

[bizzwriter]

I am a member of Costco (who isn't, right?) and I received a copy of a (very thick) brochure announcing the grand opening "expo" for the new Costco Business Center in San Diego. Coincidentally, the new center is located in the old Home Depot Expo building on Convoy at Othello. Looking through the brochure, it appears the Costco Business Center will cater to restaurants and food service businesses -- TONS of food service items and food -- as well as general business customers. Looks like Restaurant Depot lite. The grand opening expo is on September 15 and 16 -- definitely going to check it out and report on my findings...

[cstr]

Just made a run, more nice finds, fresh good sized bags of herbs for way less than those tiny clam shells at your fav Vons, Ralphs et al. Also, they are handing out coups just for the business center.

[flylice2x]

Costco Business Center in Hawthorne CA on Prairie Ave is always empty. No food Court..
But the regular Costco abt 2 miles west on Hindry is always crowded.
Biggest difference is the amount of food items, drinks, restaurant and bsuiness supplies
they have at the Business Center.

[nutrition]

The place looks like a Costco Warehouse, but it's choice of supplies does not. Limited to a LARGE variety of bottled waters, restaurant supplies, office supplies, meats and frzen prepared foods in colorful packages for that late office worker to stock their freezers.

The best things are the individual packaged baked goods like muffins, morning pastries, etc. You won't have to leave with a dozen muffins or bagels to dry out before you can get to all of them.

No gasoline, but there are the hot dogs and pizza for the snack attacks. Far enough from the Exit doors, so that you are not dragged to them automaticaly.

I am still amazed at the large area devoted to flats and more flats of bottled waters and drinks with TOO much Fructose Corn syrup in them! A sure sign that San Diego public water supple is rated in the top 10 worst municipal supplies. Best not to drink it without a full charcoal filter system.

If you are looking for another UNCROWDED full scale Costco to shop at, try the POWAY location!

[cstr]

All of those selections of bottled H2O and soft drinks are geared for the small business, convienience stores, sandwich shops etc. not towards the home. That's why it's called Costco 'Business Center'.

[Cathy]

+1

[DougOLis]

Do they carry MexiCoke in the glass bottles?

[cstr]

I only saw the regular coke and other soft drinks not Mexi. I'll take a closer look when I returm there.

[aloha925]

I recently saw (about two weeks ago) Mexican coke in the glass bottles at the Mission Valley Costco. I

[deckape]

Costco on Market, Northgate(?) has them by the case.

[bizzwriter]

Costco on Morena has 'em.

[thnarf]

Went there today -- Nov 11 -- and yes, they carry Mexicoke in glass bottles.

[SDGourmand]

I checked it out the other day. I thought it was good. I wish they carried a bigger variety of equipment, appliances, storage type stuff. The meat section was solid but they need to carry more pork products. The produce had some good things but needs a wider variety. I love that fact that no one is in there and no lines, such a difference from the Carlsbad location which is jam packed all the time. I like it much better than restaurant depot hopefully they increase the variety of products once they work out all the kinks.

[DiningDiva]

They might have been short on pork because they ran a special last weekend. Pork Butt for $.60 a pound. This store is definitely work checking on regularly for meat specials. They also ran a special on beef tenderloins last weekend that was ridiculous.

[SDGourmand]

I was looking for a whole pork belly, not sure if they will carry that. The bone in beef short ribs and beef cheeks both looked great and would go back for that alone.

[cstr]

I was there and saw several carts with those whole pork butts, what a great price.

[Island]

DD did they advertise the special anywhere or did you just happen to see it when you were in there?

[DiningDiva]

AFAIK, not advertised. This store is focused on the trade more than the general public. You just have to go and see what they're pushing.

[SaltyRaisins]

Coming to Luscious Noise on Sunday at Anthology or the symphony tomorrow? Come see what I'm pushing...

Cheers!

[nutrition]

I bet when the traffic picks up, those special low priced items will increase noticeably!
So enjoy the bargains until such time comes.
Of course with the economy it may take a longer time then expected.

[Island]

I'm horrible at price comparison, but I have noticed some Costco items in the regular stores have been downsized. For instance the blueberries I buy all the time have been sold in a smaller package for at least a year and probably for the same price as the larger quantity, although I couldn't say for sure.

[DiningDiva]

As a matter of fact, I may very well be at Luscious Noise on Sunday. How do I find you?

[SaltyRaisins]

I'll be playing in the Verdi quartet.

Cheers!

[DiningDiva]

Thx, will try and figure out who you are ;-D. Waiting to hear back from my friend who goes to the Symphony concerts with me as to whether or not she wants to go to this one or not.

[Cathy]

When I was leaving yesterday, They gave me a handout of some of next week's specials (coffee cups/lids/paraphanalia), no mention of meats on sale.

[cooljw]

Went yesterday. This was the least crowded Costco I've ever been to! There were so few customers that only 2 registers, with no lines, were open. Yes the merchandise is a bit different, some in good ways some in bad. But it was really nice that no one was there. For regular customers I thought the individually wrapped bagels and muffins were neat, as well as being able to buy just six at a time. Wonder if all the restaurants around here will start sourcing there stuff from here, will that mean all the food will start tasting the same? Hah!

[DiningDiva]

Well, since S&S Bakery got busted last week by La Migra, don't be surprised if you see some unusual locations making purchases here. This Costco does bake their muffins on-site (my source for this information is the aunt of one of my employees who actually works there).

S&S is/was the major supplier of pastries and baked goods for many hotels, restaurants, snack bars, coffee shops (inlcuding Starbucks) and non-commercial food service establishments. Even though they are back in business, there is still trouble in that paradise and most operators I know are actively seeking alternate sources. I've heard Costco's business center store mentioned more than a few time, and they even deliver. The biggest problem is that they don't deliver in the dead of night as most bakeries do.

[cstr]

If they get the volume, which they can support, they just might deliver in the wee hours of the morning.

[cstr]

Went today, WOW HUGE... kitchen supplies, knives, gadgets, pans, trays, baking ware, serving plates etc.. see you later bed, bath & beyond. Also, noticed many food items that were less than regular Costco. Gonna like this place, especially if you need to stock up for parties.

[RB Hound]

When were you there? We probably bumped in to each other. :)

I was impressed with the additional prepackaged food options (though most of it certainly is not good for you). Not impressed at all with the refrigerated food options, but I wasn't expecting to be, so they you go.

Definitely a good place to go if you are buying office snack room supplies.

[cstr]

Was there about 12:30, I was surprised not too crowded. I didn't look at the frozen cases but, liked things like stainless mixing bowls etc. and yah all the preped veggies, pretty convienent. Next time I'll look for yah, just tell what kinda hat your sporting!

[RB Hound]

We probably overlapped; I think I was checking out about that time. No hat; just a chirpy 4-year old daughter.

I doubt I'll be back that often; just for targeted visits (pun intended). I was also surprised it was not very crowded - maybe people have figured out that it doesn't really replace a regular Costco.

[karaethon]

Do you need a Costco business card to get in or will any regular Costco membership work?

[Cathy]

Any.

[thirtyeyes]

Just remember it closes at 6pm and is closed all day on Sunday.

[bizzwriter]

Oh. My. God.

Complete MOB scene. Arrived at about 5:15pm -- knew I made a mistake when I saw the guy standing out on Convoy directing traffic into and out of the parking lot. Avoided the parking crush by sneaking by the food court and parking in the employee parking around back.

Got inside and was greeted by the LARGEST crowd I've ever seen in any Costco anywhere. I'm pretty sure that every restaurant owner within 25 miles was there this afternoon -- huge flatbed cart after huge flatbed cart loaded to the gills with food service gear and food.

25-pound bags of panko bread crumbs? Check. 25 linear feet of shelf devoted to every possible package size and type of Tapatio hot sauce? Check. Cryovac packages of beef cheek and tongue? Check. Register lines from hell? Check.

It was an interesting place to visit, but I'm sticking with my Morena Costco.

[daantaat]

This sounds like a perfect place for a field trip!

[Green_Turtle]

Does this location have the $1.50 pizza slices & brat-dogs?

[bizzwriter]

Yeah -- they have a food court with all the standard Costco fare. Interestingly enough, that was the LEAST busy place yesterday -- no lines when I walked by!

[royaljester]

These customers mean business! The food court is really just there to distract the low margin customers (like me) to make space for businesses carting out supplies by the wagon.

[foodiechick]

I'm with you, sticking with Morena. Pulled in today around 430pm and this place was dead. Good for the food biz industry, but very sterile and not much there for the average family/consumer.

[royaljester]

Yeah I like the idea of it being here, but it's bare bones as far as consumer items. That said, I will shop here when I need home supplies because it's still half the drive for me.

I think this may change over the years. A lot of people don't yet realize there's a Costco here.

[Cathy]

I like that it opens at 8 a.m.. When I am having/attending a party or tailgate and need food and supplies, will definitely shop here.

They sell half gallons of milk for $1.59, half gallons of heavy cream for $3.59. Two fresh baguettes for $1.29 and a six pack for smaller sandwich baguettes (same French bread) for $1.49 (don't have any of that at my Santee store).

Many many cases of beverages are unique compared to Costco or Smart N Final (Talking Rain Twist is great). This store sells the vendor packs of chips (I give those away for Halloween) which have not been in the 'regular' Costco for more than a year now. Also sell Starbucks/Kirkland 2 lb bag of espresso blend whole coffee beans for about $10.

No pet food/toys nor rotissiere area. No fresh seafood. No gifty things or books or clothes. No vitamins/ drugs/pharmacy or photo developing...but the smaller travel size items ( I suppose meant for Convenience Stores or Bed and Breakfasts) I can use for myself, overnight guests and as stocking stuffers...

Oh. The outdoor food court sells the dipped ice cream on a stick (not available at all the Costcos-I'm looking at you Santee) and a carne asada wrap which is heavenly...

[Cathy]

Also here, the muffins and bagels can be bought as just the 6 pack (instead of two six packs). Four packs of Bistro to Go salad bowls for $10. Four count of Ready-Pac snacks for $5 (veggie/cheese/ranch or apple/granola/yogurt). The Tarantino Italian sausage (mild and breakfast links in 6 lb packs) is the same, but they also sell a 4 lb chub of Tarantino gound pork for $7.29.

This Costco has a lot more different items which I can use at insanely crazy low prices. I'm amazed I can just buy a half gallon of milk...

[royaljester]

Yeah, I like the smaller sizes offered. But from a business standpoint they're competing with Target and Walmart there. In any case, I always welcome a Costco closer to me bottom line.

[cstr]

Remember, this Costco doesn't have clothing, pharmacy, seasonal stuff or a lot of things the regular Costco's have.

[monku]

It's been a little over a year since the Costco Business Center (Commerce, Los Angeles) opened and it's still like a morgue when they first open at 8am.

I don't mind driving a little further because it's convenient to get basic items and gas up (gas is always 5-10 cents/gallon cheaper than the closest retail Costco) and start shopping at 8am with no crowds. It does get busy on Saturdays and when they have business or food show (lots of discounted products) every couple months. The food court does a brisk business at lunch because the only competition is a McDonalds on the other side of their property.

From a business standpoint it's scary because there is a lot of fresh and frozen product that must go to waste because they stock a lot of different items. Recently they've done away with pre-cut packaged meat. They only sell cryovac packaged meat now.

[DiningDiva]

But it is more for the trade than the consumer. I think that's the point of this store.

[foodiechick]

Agreed, and at least I understood that going in. It may have been a surprise to many of the families I saw with befuddled looks on their faces yesterday.

[DiningDiva]

No doubt they were!

[MrKrispy]

omg they have beef cheeks? SCORE!

I didn't know a regular membership would work here, that's great. Woohoo!

[cstr]

Did you see the half sticks of panchetta, mortadella, prochuitto etc.

[cstr]

Went today, saw the beef cheeks and behold next to them, ox tails!! soup time!

[royaljester]

Wow this sounds like it could be good for surrounding businesses. Costco always has quality meat. Sounds like they will still stock some home supplies, and it'll cut my drive time in half. Good location!

[bizzwriter]

Yeah -- I imagine MANY of the Convoy-area restaurants will soon find their way to the Costco Business Center...I'm headed to the Expo Wednesday morning for a look-see.

[royaljester]

See you there!

[Uncle Lefty]

My wife and I wandered in there about 9:30 this morning. Get over there. It's snack-tacular.

[DiningDiva]

We are sooooo looking forward to this Costco opening. As a business with multiple accounts, dealing with Smart & Final is horrible beyond belief.

[cstr]

I've always had great experiences with Costco, meat, produce, totally awesome fruit, cheeses, wines. Can't wait to browse around the new place.

[monku]

If this Costco Business Center is anything like the one in Commerce (Los Angeles), they don't sell liquor or beer and no cigarette sales to non-business accounts..
No clothing, electronics, personal sundries, pharmacy, photo shop and toys.

[DiningDiva]

You are correct. The new Costco has no electronics, no TVs no clothings etc.

[Encinitan]

I found an article about the opening here: http://gltnewsnow.com/2010/09/01/costco-business-center-opens-in-san-diego/ and here: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi...

You will be able to purchase a huge side of beef. I don't know about a whole hog though.