This item is on our Web site today. If you currently shop at the Silverdale CostCo, is this new location more appealing to you? What is your favorite CostCo product?
GIG Harbor
New CostCo Set for Grand Opening
A new CostCo outlet will open in Gig Harbor Nov. 2, providing
competition to Silverdale’s CostCo and a warehouse shopping
alternative, especially for South Kitsap residents.
The 148,000 square-foot store has the full compliment of CostCo
offerings, including a gas station, optical goods, a pharmacy,
hearing aids and a one-hour photo center. Fresh products will be
available in the store’s full bakery, produce section, service
deli, meat and seafood sections. The deli will offer “home
replacement meals,” according to a press release from the
company.
The store is located at 10990 Harbor Hill Drive. On opening day,
the store will open at 8 a.m., two hours earlier than regular
Friday hours.
We stopped there today on our way home from Seattle given its logistical convenience to our final destination.
The exterior design is more aesthetically pleasing, aisles seem wider for an open-space feel, and there are some items there we’ve not found at the Silverdale location. However, there are fewer check out lanes, and no self-checks from what we could tell.
No self check out. Less crowded than Silverdale at this point.
Too bad those sales tax dollars are going to Pierce County instead of Kitsap County, as Costco originally wanted to build in South Kitsap.
I guess “Costco” wasn’t as good a buzz word as “sustainability”.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Is it true Costco wanted a store in Port Orchard and was turned down? How could such a thing happen?
What area wouldn’t vie for such a business?
If true, it seems Gig Harbor is user friendly with their choice of business as well as transportation.
Unbelievable that PO would turn such a business away. Astounding.
Sharon O’Hara
Sharon – I have not heard the history on CostCo’s locating in Gig Harbor. Anybody out there know anything about it?
Costco & Sustainability? Hmm… Well, they certainly pay attention to the social equity piece of the three legged stool, or the triple bottom line, by assuring that their workers are paid well. Although, to claim sustainability, you would also have to look at how a Costco would affect smaller stores within the community and the community as a whole.
I personally don’t find the prices that much better. If you do your math (and I’d always tell kids to take their calculators and pay attention to the math, how much per oz, how much per individual bottle, etc) you find that you can get better buys at Safeway and Albertson’s on sale items and you don’t have to spend the huge amount of money to do so and have all that waste.
About Gig Harbor versus P.O., Gig Harbor seems to like the nameless, faceless big box stores. Personally, I like to support our friends and neighbors in their businesses.
Actually, Mary… one of the reasons Costco succeeds is not only their day to day price range, its the fact their return policy rivals Nordstrom, REI, LL Bean and others in taking back anything with welcoming arms and a smile.
They are as they are… a super clean warehouse full of fresh, interesting and revolving items at a low price. A bonus is the Costco pleasant and helpful employees (99.99 % of the time)
The smaller stores filling the needs of people – SERVICE for one – will not be run out of business. People don’t mind paying more when they are treated as valued customers and given value for their money..
Those stores will have trained employees catering to the customers, not each other or whatever friend they’re chatting with on the phone.
Port Orchard once had ‘Jordens’ a department store I loved to shop in. … where a person could buy just about anything.
Jordan’s not only knew of a canvas jacket I once wanted…they had them in stock.
‘Service’ was their middle name.
Considering Costco was born in Kirkland, I shop guilt free.
Speaking of ‘Kirkland’…Costco also sells a store brand that consists of fine, quality products.
Not so with a couple major store brand’, notably canned goods.
.
One day someone will open a school filled with customer oriented staff (Nordstrom is tops) training people for other stores… to become customer oriented.
‘Forget Me Not’ florists was intensely ‘service’ oriented..and talented florists
‘Charleston Hardware’ was another one of a kind business…if they didn’t have it, it didn’t exist, kind of place.
No Costco could replace those kind of stores…but then, they were owned and operated by some of Kitsap County’s most remarkable people.
Mary, its my opinion that just as cream rises to the top of a milk carton, so to does the service oriented business … and they are the places we’ll support, Costco or no Costco.
There is room for quality, customer oriented business..
Sharon O’Hara
It was my understanding that Costco originally wanted to build near the Albertson’s store on Sedgwick Road. However, due to the ongoing wrangling with Groth Management Act and constraints of Kitsap County, they decided to build at their second choice… the Gig Harbor Property.
As for local businesses versus the “big nameless, faceless box stores”, anyone with some education on marketing knows that many small businesses (even those with local ties) use Costco to showcase their products and grow their businesses.
For example, just this weekend I was in the new Costco in Gig Harbor looking for healthy snacks for my kids (which I seem to need to buy in bulk now that I have two teens… and their friends around a lot). My son loves fruit leather, so I thought I’d see if Costco had any good choices. Lo and behold, “Stretch Island” fruit leather was being sold at Costco. If you have ever traveled the back-way to Shelton, you’ll recognise the name. Their business is located in beautiful downtown Grapeview, Washington.
Further, when I visited the new Costco this weekend, I ran into at least three employees that I recognized as people from South Kitsap. They aren’t nameless. They are hard working people with families to support just like you and I.
Supporting local business is important. So is growing our economy to provide family wage jobs. I like it when it is done the old fashioned way too… through good old American private enterprise and capital.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Mary,
Gig Harbor seems to prefer “Big Box” stores? Where is your brain? Port Orchard is welcoming a Lowe’s Home Improvement Store in the immediate future and various developments in the not-too-far future. Opie and his friends are already going to Dairy Queen and McDonald’s for their fat and surgar cravings.
Then, Kathryn, why the resistance to growing living wage jobs as part of the SEED Project? Sustainability is all about “good old American private enterprise and capital.” It’s also about encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation and brilliance.
Time to climb on board, Kathryn. Here, let me give you a hand up. I would like to see you embrace this and what it can and will do for our children. Check out http://www.ceres.org, as one website that illustrates a framework for measuring sustainability. Another is http://www.life-cycle.org.
As far as having a “brain” and understanding “marketing,” I have done advertising for many, many local businesses in SK and I care about these people, these business owners, a lot. That’s all I’ll say to address these insults.
Mary,
I haven’t seen any investment of “good old American private enterprise and capital” in SEED.
You keep ignoring the fact that I’m happy to embrace clean technology. In fact, every bulb in my home that can be a compact flourescent is now a compact flourescent. I’m enthusiastic about several energy concepts on the horizon. I happen to work in the energy arena and look forward to innovations that will allow us to save taxpayer dollars through innovative green technology.
I would fully embrace SEED if it was done with a meaningful mix of private and public funds. But it isn’t. It is only using public funds. I consider that taxpayer abuse, by forcing the taxpayer to be an unwilling speculative investor in someone’s very risky business plan. In fact, that business plan is so risky that no private investor has yet to put money on the line to support it.
Oh, and by the way, why are you so opposed to businesses like Costco? They built their store with their own money, pay their employees with their own money, contribute back to the communities they work in, and yet you insult them by calling them “nameless, faceless big box stores”.
Seems hypocritical to me.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Kathryn, there is nothing in my writing that suggests that I am opposed to Costco. In fact, I praised their social consciousness.
You are making assumptions here. One is that I am opposed to Costco, which I am not, the other is that SEED is a risky business venture. That is your assumption. I have asked you for the information upon which you base your assumptions on SEED, but you just press forth with more assumptions.
If you would go to the Vancouver Island Technology Park website, you will see that business parks oftentimes require public monies to cover construction costs. If you can make an assumption about my feelings toward Costco, than I must ask why you believed that the investment of public monies into a NASCAR track was a good use of public funds? The ever important business plan was so much riskier.
Your statements are the ones that appear hypocritical to me. Quite frankly, your logic and reasoning completely baffle me. I see your arguments as completely illogical.
You wanted us to build a second high school, which requires an infusion of public funds. Yet, you don’t believe public funds should be used to help establish a business park that would offer 2,000 people living wage jobs.
In my estimation, it appears that you are content to work for the federal government (in human resources, the last I understood, which is a far cry from “energy arena” ?????), yet you resist wanting to help establish a business park so that others can make a decent wage in this county, like yourself?
It appears very hypocritical to me that it is all right for you to drink from the public well when it comes to a job for yourself. It is also all right to ask us to share from our public well and build a new high school, yet it is wrong to ask for that same well to be used to quench the thirst of those in desperate need of good jobs and hope in this county?
You praised Costco by saying that you met three SK people who worked there. While I believe Costco pays its employees well, these are still just retail jobs and do not pay what a good job in a high tech field would.
If the jobs are so wonderful at Costco, why don’t you give up your government job and accept one?
Mary,
First, you are correct… Energy is a far cry from HR. About 15 miles north, actually. I guess I forgot to tell you that I accepted a promotion about 6 months ago that took me out of HR and into the energy arena. Did I forget to ask permission?
You are also right that I’m content… for now. Why would I want to leave honorable work where I have several years of tenure, excellent benefits, and job satisfaction? Hmmm… I guess you were right twice in the same post. New record?
As for Costco, if it paid as well as my current job, I might consider it since I enjoy working with people. However, since I have no seniority at Costco and only miniscule retail experience, I doubt it would pay what my current position does and I have two teenagers to feed and prepare for college. ;=)
Is there anything else about my life that I need to bring you up to speed about? I’ll try and remember to put you on my Christmas Letter list.
As for your comparison of building a new high school to SEED, are you serious? You honestly can’t see the difference? That scares me nearly as much as Mr. Mahan asking, “What’s the difference”, when Larry Stokes mentioned tax rates and tax dollars. Both comments are scary, very scary!
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Kathryn,
I am not going to address your sarcasm.
I am glad you expressed the truthful observation that your government job pays much better in wages and benefits, enabling you to feed your two teenage children well, as compared to a job in the retail sector. It’s unfortunate that you don’t recognize that others have the same needs as you do and that there aren’t that many government jobs to go around.
When people insist that the big box retail stores of the world are good for our community, it’s important to note if they themselves would be willing to sacrifice to work there.
There are other bigger issues that are important to note here, as well. Bigger than the fact that you saw three people you knew working at Costco and hence made the argument that it is a good place to shop, bigger than the fact that you saw the products of a local manufacturer in Costco and hence drew the conclusion that they “support local manufacturers.” Judging whether they do or don’t is not my goal here. I have no intention of making a subjective judgment over whether “Costco is a good store” or not. I haven’t looked over their financials, I haven’t read their reports. I can only say that I saw a report on their CEO and was impressed with his commitment to his workers. That said, if you compare the contributions of our local family run businesses to our community with those of the “big box stores” you will find results that are astonishing. It’s the A&W’s and the Rings & Things, and the Gazebo Flowers, and the Candy Shoppe, and the Morrison Gravels, etc, that support our local baseball and soccer teams, our local band boosters and more. The percentage of their profits that our local businesses give is far higher than anything that may come from the big box stores.
In addition, if these big box stores were serving a new niche, great, but are they? Or, are they just pulling a percentage of the market share from the already existing smaller stores. Their goal is to grow, which often means that they gobble up the smaller competitors, they don’t create a new market, they just steal one that already exists.
Like Wal-Mart had hoped to do when they wanted to expand to a superstore several years ago. We already have six grocery stores. They wouldn’t be offering anything we didn’t already have. If they offer lower prices, they do it by offering their (our community members) lower wages and no health benefits. So, our community members lose good jobs and we gain additions to our Medicaid rolls.
Yet, when a proposal comes forward that would create real jobs, not low-paying service jobs, you fight it tooth and nail, claiming your expertise to do so.
I think that you should lay out your credentials when you discuss SEED and other growth machines. I think it is important that people understand where it was that you obtained your M.B.A. You speak as though you are an expert and that others should listen to your words on SEED and the like. But, I don’t remember any M.B.A. on the list of your credentials.
Because it is one thing to express a personal opinion, it is still another thing to try to dissuade people from supporting something that would positively benefit the community at large. You condemn that very behavior when it’s a school levy that people are condemning.
Only a small fraction of the population are what they call “innovators.” A small, but larger segment are “early adapters.” Those are the people who probably make the most money on an idea or invention. Early adapters are followed by “early maturers,” followed by “late maturers” and then “laggers.”
It is ok to be a lagger when it comes to an idea or innovation. Maybe it is that you don’t believe in its merits and have the right to that opinion. However, it is disingenuous of you to promote that opinion to the point that you dissuade others who don’t have the educational background to understand the new idea or innovation. It’s one thing to hold an opinion and still another thing to wield it like a sword.
Since the concepts of sustainability are so important in so many ways, your wielding your dislike of the SEED project is anti-community.
It’s beyond hypocritical. How can I express how distasteful it is for you to work at a well-paying, government job while expressing that it is ok for others to work at low-paying retail/service jobs, because you don’t quite believe that the business plan for SEED is feasible?
Have your opinion, Kathryn. Be a lagger when it comes to this project. That is your right. But, don’t hurt the rest of this community who can desperately use a well-paying high tech job.
I can go a step farther with this. Since your represent the South Kitsap School District, I am surprised and angered that you would do your best to try to disrupt the development of a clean energy center that would benefit the very families and students you purport to represent.
Our teachers live in an insular world. The demands on them are so great that all they see are the four walls surrounding them. They don’t realize what is out there for their students. That’s your job. You are to bring that world to them.
If you chose to, you could help bring the high tech, clean energy world to them.
Do you know what I would rather see you do than fight SEED? I would rather see you promote math and science education. I would rather see you ask for contests in our high schools and colleges that would encourage innovation and brilliance in our young people. They need to know how important they are to finding the solutions to the problems that they are inheriting from us. You could make that happen, Kathryn. You could, if you chose to do so.
Instead you fight SEED and whatever else you don’t quite believe in. And, who benefits?
Or maybe you don’t care, because you already have that great government job.
Two words to answer everyone’s question about WHY Costco did not make a considered decision about a site in South Kitsap: Charlotte Garrido. Thanks, Charlotte!
Mary said… “Instead you fight SEED and whatever else you don’t quite believe in. And, who benefits?”
Really now? You are asserting that I’m neglecting my school board duties to fight SEED? Do you know how much time I spend on school board matters, Mary? Have you done any research to that effect? Do you know what you are talking about? No, No, and No. Do you know the amount of time or energy I commit to education issues like math and science, 21st century vision, and policy alignment and funding issues that will lead the way for innovation and brilliance in our classrooms? No, No, and No. Yet, should I be surprised that you are lacking in facts? Unfortunately, the answer to that is “no” too.
Fortunately, I’m content to let the voters decide (in 2009), if I am neglecting my school board duties, if I decide to run for re-election.
Mary said…”Or maybe you don’t care, because you already have that great government job.”
I don’t care? I’m involved in education issues because I care. I’m involved in the community because I care. I’m against SEED’s plan to abuse the taxpayers because I care. I stand up to people like you, who prefer obfuscation and insults to facts and honest debate of issues, because I care!!
You slap people with words and YOU DON’T CARE whether those words are true or accurate! THAT is beyond hypocritical, Mary!
All who are engaged in public debate wield “swords”, Mary. A good “sword” is one that is tempered with credibility and facts. Just wearing such a well tempered sword frequently means that it never has to leave it’s scabbard. The reputation of it’s owner suppresses the cry for “penny-ante” battles and, instead, mutual respect brings strong sword owners of differing “sides” to the table to work out reasonable solutions to serious problems.
Someday, I hope you will learn to temper your sword and grasp that fighting the good fight in a democracy is best done by engaging factual debate, not keyboard whipping your neighbors just because they have the gall to have a reasoned position that you don’t like.
By the way, I have NEVER EVER misrepresented my credentials. I have NEVER said anything about having an M.B.A.. For anyone who cares, I have a B.A. in Social Welfare from the University of Washington, an A.T.A. from Olympic College in Electronics, and an A.A. from Tacoma Community College in General Studies. These academics, my activities in the community, and my life experience have helped me to temper a sword that works for me. I have no need to misrepresent my credentials. I think I’m doing just fine with the set I have earned.
How many commissioners at the Port of Bremerton have M.B.A.’s? Do you?
Finally, I have a great job. It happens to be working for the government. I am neither ashamed of it nor will I apologize for it. You speak as if I get some charity. I happen to work hard for a living, as do about 13,000 other federal employees in Kitsap County.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Yes, I am suggesting that you are neglecting your school board duties to fight SEED. Like I said, I believe that your school board duties include bringing important information and programs to the teachers and administrators you serve. When you fight promising programs you do the opposite.
Like I said, I don’t see an MBA amongst your credentials and I don’t believe a BA in social welfare gives you the expertise to determine the feasibility of a business plan.
You persist in implying that I use obfuscation in my responses, but I see nothing but that in yours. For instance, you mentioned the 13,000 other federal employees, suggesting I suppose, that I have somehow insulted them through you.
I have not. They are not part of this discussion.
No one is asking you to either be ashamed for your job, nor apologize for it. I am suggesting that you are hypocritical for fighting a project that will create living wage jobs for other people, while you enjoy one yourself.
Do I see you as hypocritical? Absolutely!
Let’s clarify the rules for this blog. Nobody needs an MBA, PhD or other degree to express their opinion.
Readers of this blog understand that opinions expressed in comments are just that .. opinions.
I really don’t want to be heavy handed in hosting this blog. I much prefer freedom of speech. We’ve had this conversation before.
Please stick to the issues, and self-edit personal attacks on other bloggers, or I will.
Thanks CTH
Mary,
PLEASE keep telling folks that I oppose SEED because it doesn’t have a meaningful mix of private and public funding support! PLEASE tell folks that I consider it an irresponsible fiscal burden on our local property owners! I’d like all the voters in South Kitsap to know that! Will you help me make a banner?
I don’t have an MBA, or PHD, and I haven’t even stayed in a Holiday Inn Express recently, but I do understand the dynamics of our community, am able to read and write above grade level, and I care enough to take reasoned positions on issues that will affect our community. If those aren’t sufficient credentials for you, then I’ll take my chances with the rest of the voters (if I decide to run, and for whatever I decide to run for… -intentional teaser, just for you to wonder about-).
By the way, one last little thing for you to gnaw on, Mary. Neither the Port’s marina tax nor SEED have been voted on by the people. Why not? Because the Port of Bremerton knows they wouldn’t pass. They have the authority to go out to the voters on those issues, but do things just under the voting threshold so that they don’t have to let us decide.
I didn’t like that the school bond failed, but I respect the vote and will of our citizenry. I hope that we will bring forward something more palatable to voters at some point in the future because I believe it will improve educational opportunity for our students and it is an essential element to building a stronger local economy and community.
Your babbling about my being opposed to SEED will only help me in any political venture I might step up to in coming years.
THANKS!!!
The only thing I worry about is that you only tell half of the story. Thank goodness for blogs and the internet where folks can see and hear what I have to say directly.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Anyone interested,
I’m all for meaningfully growing the economy in Kitsap County. Here is what I would do instead of SEED…
First thing we should do is ensure that the building processs is straightforward and quick for businesses like Costcos, Targets, and hospital centers that want (or wanted) to build in our community! They help grow the tax base (which reduces each property owner’s individual share), they bring sales and business tax revenues, and they provide family wage jobs. They also don’t ask taxpayers to support them for a few years while their business plan takes hold.
Second, I would go back and ask voters to reconsider the school bond, asking people to invest in our school facilities so that we can improve our schools and community, including reducing the overcrowding situation at SKHS and allow our district to meaningfully and intentionally provide better learning environments for students. One of the most attractive aspects of a community is the quality of it’s schools.
Third, I’d ensure that we are investing adequately in roads and transportation initiatives that reduce congestion and improve “livability”. Those tax dollar investments will provide an infrastructure that businesses need to get their employees to work, get their products to market, and get home to their families at a reasonable hour at the end of the day!
Fourth, I would invest heavily in improving our parks and recreation facilities. Families need ball fields, sidewalks and bike paths that meander safely through our communities, and community centers where kids can safely play and be kids! Not only that, but good parks and recreation facilities draw folks to our community through tournaments and events. Folks get a chance to see us and might consider our neck of the woods as a good place to expand their business.
Finally, if I were a county elected official, I’d be more pro-active in trying to attract businesses, instead of scaring them to just south of our county line.
I’d be interested to know what other folks think will help grow our local economy?
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Chris,
I forgot to fill in the spots for my name and email in that last post about the four things I would do to grow our local economy. Will it post anyway?
Btw, no need to post this question – unless you feel compelled.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Chris,
Thanks for the intervention between Mary and Kathryn. I think those two lost the focus of the topic of discussion, to say the least.
I enjoy reading the intelligent debates between people until they start fighting like hens.
“I think that you should lay out your credentials when you discuss SEED and other growth machines. I think it is important that people understand where it was that you obtained your M.B.A. You speak as though you are an expert and that others should listen to your words on SEED and the like. But, I don’t remember any M.B.A. on the list of your credentials.”
And what, exactly, are Tim Botkin’s “credentials”?
…”….Their goal is to grow, which often means that they gobble up the smaller competitors, they don’t create a new market, they just steal one that already exists….”
only a fool for a store owner wouldn’t have growth as a goal … Why is business ‘growth’ a bad thing to you?
Costco has the latest, greatest revolving kaleidoscope of new items every time I go in the store. No local store that I’ve EVER known has offered the rapidly changing new items that Costco sells. Costco is a one-of a- kind store… their concept is strictly theirs…no one else had it to steal.
Local stores often keep the same boring items in the same boring spot until its sold or dies of old age and becomes an expensive ‘antique.’
As I stated before,service and quality products offered by local hometown stores will ALWAYS do well. They will thrive even next door to such stores as Costco…and they will do well.
Sharon O’Hara
What were Bill Gates’ credentials when he co-founded Microsoft? Steve Job’s credentials when he founded Apple?
I wonder how many advanced degrees Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling had, combined? (remember ENRON?)
What do the following former Presidents of the United States have in common: Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland.
Answer (backwards):
(eerged egelloc on)
One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand a business plan. One doesn’t need an advanced degree to do great things. And most importantly, one should not sit on the sidelines or allow anyone to bully you to the sidelines of community issues just because one doesn’t have a degree.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Bill Gates aced the SAT, scoring a perfect 1600 out of 1600. He had gone to Lakeview High School, renowned for its superior education. His father was already a successful businessman with strong political and social connections. You can’t use him as the “every man.” He never was, never will be.
Yes, I am working toward an M.B.A. Yes, Tim Botkin does have credentials, which are probably easy to find.
It’s sad that someone who represents our school district would promote an anti-education agenda or even suggest that people don’t need an education.
Mary,
Bill Gates didn’t ace the SAT. That was Paul Allen. Gates score was 1590 (still amazing to me).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates
As for your faulty assertion that I promote an anti-education agenda because I point out some great Americans who never graduated from college, I’ll trust that other readers understood the context of my comments better than you did.
I know many intelligent, articulate, and contributing members of our community who never went to college. There is nothing “anti-education” about that. Just because these folks, for one reason or another, never graced the halls of a college or university doesn’t make them uneducated or me “anti-education” for pointing out that a college education isn’t a prerequisite to participation in civic affairs.
Perhaps this quote will allow what I really said to sink in with you…
“It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated.”
— Alec Bourne, A Doctor’s Creed
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson