Costco interested in Kiddieland site.

Great. Just what they need, another big box to take the place of an 81 year old amusement. Makes me sick.

Costco

As much as I like Costco (especially the pricing at the food court), it's a shame yet another park is going to be lost with shopping being put in its place.

Just what we need! another farkin' big box! If it was a new school or fire or police dept, that'd have more value.

SFGAm now dominates the market for outdoor amusement parks in the Chicago area. You have a couple indoor ones like Safari Land and Enchanted Castle.

The park went down because the land was more valuable as something else. What did you think would happen?

^Safari Land and Enchanted Castle are both VERY nice, however, it's no comparison to the outdoor adventure of Santa's Village or Kiddieland. It is sad to see this place go.

Jeff said:
The park went down because the land was more valuable as something else. What did you think would happen?

We know this. Still doesn't make it anymore comforting.

Yes, Devo was right. We are really starting to go backwards as a civilization.

...the land was more valuable as something else

The land was worth more money as something else. Not all value is monetary.

It obviously was to the family that owned the park.

I didn't say it was super and OK, but I just don't see why anyone would be surprised at this point.

robotfactory said:
Not all value is monetary.

Regardless of how true that is, for everyone involved in the decsision on what to do with this land - it was.

Meh...it was a little kiddie park with one small wooden coaster. Wake me up with Six Flags goes under...then I'll shed a tear!

But Moosh....you don't even like Six Flags parks! ;)

Just once I'd like to see a big box store go bankrupt and an amusement park buy the property. (Never happen, but I can dream.)

Membership shopping is still a concept I just don't get.

It depends on what you are buying there I guess. Some stuff like video games and DVD's aren't really a bargain (and since they are reluctant to mark down prices sometimes they are overpriced on older games). Other items can be a a lot cheaper. 1 example I can think of 1/2 sheet cake is $26.99 at the local supermarket undecorated or $29.99 - $34.99 decorated. At Costco it is either $14.99 or $15.99 decorated.

Carrie M. said:
Membership shopping is still a concept I just don't get.

Think of it as retail's version of a season pass.

Carrie M. said:
Membership shopping is still a concept I just don't get.

Me either. About 15 years ago in my hometown Kroger took this road by switching their local stores to "membership only" as a "test" ..alas not only did it NOT work but Kroger close down our local stores in the middle of the night without warning and that was that until Food Lion took over their locations some months later.

Too bad Kroger before making that decision didn't go to our local library and read about what happened to our local Nichols Discount City back in 1988. What was once a very popular store..that is until one day they went "gotta have a paid membership to shop here". The public didnt like it and within a year Nichols was gone.

Carrie M. said:
Membership shopping is still a concept I just don't get.

Sometimes you need an extra large jar of cheap mayonaise ;)

Yeah, that you have to start eating from in the check-out aisle because it's bound to go bad before you can finish it at home! ;)

Almost without exception, the only things I buy at BJ's (membership wholesale club nearest to me) are sugarless gum, V8 Fusion, and gas. I chew gum after every meal and drink V8 every day, so the savings on those items and gasoline more than makes up for the membership fee, which IIRC is $40-$45/year. Of course, it helps that BJ's is near the grocery store I go to, so it's not really out of the way to buy my gas there.