Costco to End Food Court for Non-Members

I can see where paying a membership fee wouldn't be worth it to many people, it depends on your total shopping needs. We are just a couple, but save a good deal on staples, from TP and paper towels, to meat, fish, condiments and frozen foods. Using the Citibank/COSTCO card returns significant rebates, as you can use it anyplace, and if you travel or eat out, you get good rewards. This year we got 3X our executive membership fee back; at a $60 standard membership it would be three times that. So, it depends on one's total shopping needs and preferences. It helps if one has a deep freezer and likes to prepare large batches of meals at once!. I too miss the polish dog!

I hope they build a wall to make it be indoors. Less waiting in long lines for members, less germs near the soda fountains. Good, good , good.

I see a bright future for Dave's Dogs!

Food waste is said to have gone up by a lot once these bulk stores became popular. No one can eat a gallon of mayo before it goes bad. Most of the Costco profit comes from the membership fees so let's see if this encourages more people to buy them.

I would’ve preferred just charging more for nonmembers. Rarely do I need bulk items that are an especially good value at Costco. Sure do appreciate that their employee wages are better than other big box stores.

I see nothing wrong with this decision. Capitalism and Free Enterprise at work here, and I'm not sure paying members should be supporting non-members. It seems as though people that want a cheap meal and other bargain goods but who aren't willing to pay the annual fee to join Costco would quickly benefit in savings on other consumer items they could buy there. All thelocations that I have been to out of state have indoor food courts for members, although someone mentioned "some locations" allow you to purchase food if you are not, but just about everyone I've seen at those indoor courts are also standing in line with shopping baskets.

Too bad they are making this decision because I am sure many workers in the area with limited resources can eat lunch at a reasonable price. Now they really only have McDonald's in walking distance. Lines will probably be shorter for members now.

Is the plan that a membership card must be shown at window?

You can have 2 people on one membership, and each person gets their own card. So, split the cost of the membership, and each person pays $30 a year. Then, you can take advantage of all their other good deals. I like the See's Candy gift cards. And, I like the Croissants, bread, cat food, cat litter, bleach, vinegar, photo section - developing film, whip cream, frozen garlic bread slices, butter, baby diapers.

The dogs always make me too gassy. But for a 1.50, it's the best bang for my buck.

It's only fair. I'm surprised it wasn't that way from the start .

Not that I'm encouraging it, and I am a Costco member, but you can still easily get a soda by bringing your own cup. It's around the side with no one checking .

It's not a very healthy menu selection.

Awesome! Now I can go and get food without dealing with interlopers.

The Costco where I grew up had the food court inside and you had to be a member. They're pretty open about selling their prepared food at a loss to get customers to the store. Seems like a good call to me. Love the 1.50 hot dog but I am still bitter about the polish sausage going away.

Fair enough. Membership has its privileges.

It's within their right and I support this decision. Even though membership is $60 a year, you will save that much buying 5 pizzas a year or 20 hot dogs or 18 smoothies, 40 rolls of kitchen paper towels....