Costco is a great place to shop. We all know that. In addition, over the years of writing this blog, I have thought of other ways to get benefit from Costco. Yes, these posts are meant to be jokes but I do think some of them make sense…((Why Costco would be a good place for a dinner party); (Living at Costco: seasonal benefits); (On a Road Trip? Stop at Costco!); (Benefits of a nearby Costco on a beach vacation: Part 1 of 2)); (Benefits of a nearby Costco on a beach vacation: Part 2 of 2)).
In this post, I’d like to propose several reasons that Costco would be a good place for a Passover Seder. I had initially planned on writing 10 reasons that it would be good for Seders and 10 reasons that it would be a bad place. However, I came up with many more reasons in favor of having Seders there.
**Although not Passover time yet, I am posting early so you can reserve a spot at your local Costco now…(obviously, I am joking)**
Why Costco *Would* be a Good Place for a Passover Seder
1. Passover Food
For many years we have bought a lot of the food for the Seders (and the entire week of Passover) at Costco. Over the past few years, Costco has carried fewer Passover items. If it had its former selection, we’d be all set with matzah (in addition to the square matzahs, Costco even carries the more traditional Shmura matzah recommended for Seders…which seems like an odd item for them to carry given the limited number of target customers), grape juice (the huge bottles are great because each person drinks four cups), meat (What do you think of the Passover selection?), kugels (e.g., Product Review: Golden Taste Broccoli Kugel), gefilte fish, cole slaw (Product Review: Golden Taste Cole Slaw), pickles, and cake (Product Review: World of Chantilly Passover 7-layer cake).
2. Other (Not Exclusively Passover) Food
Although much of the food is specific to Passover, there are also other foods one can buy at Costco for the Seders. Side dishes such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, vegetables, and fruits are available. In addition, the Seder plate needs salt, egg, and parsley, all of which one can find in the store.
3. Space for a Long Table
Passover Seders tend to be large, requiring long tables. Therefore, the abundance of space at Costco warehouses is very helpful.
4. Non-Edible Meal Items
Now that we will have space for our tables, we have to set them. Fortunately, Costco has disposable tablecloths, dishes, utensils (Even More High-Quality Kirkland Products), and cups. Although it is nice to use fancier dishes on holidays, disposable items make cleanup much easier.
5. Recliners
One of the unique aspects of the Seder is that we are supposed to recline to show that we are free (i.e., no longer slaves in Egypt). Costco has multiple options for this reclining, including actual recliners, sofas, and pillows.
6. Many Large Ovens
Clearly, we will need to feed a lot of people. Therefore, we will benefit from the multiple, large ovens available at Costco. We can cook the food and keep it warm.
7.Tupperware for Leftovers
I cannot think of many traditional Jewish meals or events after which there were not a large amount of leftovers. Fortunately Costco sells a lot of options for storing food to take home.
8. Place to Walk Between Courses
Speaking of lots of food… people may want to walk around and stretch between courses, as Passover Seders and meals can be lengthy. The large store will enable this walking.
9. Minimal Interruption of Store Hours
Passover occurs in March or April, after Daylight Savings. Therefore, the Seders will not interfere with most of the daily business.
10. No Stairs
Passover Seders often involve family members and friends of many ages. The lack of stairs at Costco will be helpful for elderly individuals who have difficulty walking.
11. Lots of Dried Fruit
Perhaps TMI for non-Jewish individuals but common knowledge for Jews…matzah has a reputation for being…binding. Although unlikely to already be a problem on the Seder nights, the dried fruit sold at Costco is likely to be help later in the week. Therefore, I suggest bags of dried prunes, raisins, or apricots as “take home treats” after the meals.
12. Multipacks of Reading Glasses
I have been to multiple Seders where at least one person has forgotten to bring his or her reading glasses, making it difficult to read the Haggadah. Costco to the rescue with the three packs of reading glasses!
13. Clothing
With the serving, passing dishes, and eating, it is likely that a few people will spill on their clothing. If the spills are large, they may want to change. Despite not being at home and being able to change, Costco has clothing available.
Why Costco *Would Not* be a Good Place for a Passover Seder
Despite the many reasons that Costco would be a good place for Passover Seders, there are some limitations.
1. Abundance of Chometz
Chometz cannot be consumed during Passover. Therefore, the large amount of chometz sold at Costco is problematic if it comes into contact with the Passover food.
2. Large Size Makes it Difficult to Clean
The evening before Passover, Jews search their houses for chometz. They burn what they own, as it is for it to own it during Passover. Now, this is technically not a problem as Costco would own the chometz. However, for the purposes of this post, I’ll pretend that the hosts have to rid the warehouse of chometz. The vast amount of space at Costco and the samples people leave hanging around ((Best and Worst Jobs at Costco: (Part 2 of 2): Worst Jobs); (Checkout Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts)) make it hard to even contemplate searching.
3. Finding the Afikomen
Traditionally, the leader of the Seder hides the Afikomen (the dessert matzah) and the children try to find it. Until found and eaten, the Seder is not complete. Costco is so large with so many hiding places, it could take a VERY long time to find the Afikomen, making it likely that the search and meal will extend far into the night.
4. Membership Required
The requirement of showing the card will limit who can come to the Seder to those who ate members and their two allowed guests.
5. Kashering the Ovens
The ovens at Costco will need to be kashered for cooking the food for the Seders. Kashering will require them to be turned to self-cleaning mode, putting them out of commission for the cleaning itself and then for cooking the food. Therefore, the ovens cannot be used for cooking other food, most notably the rotisserie chickens ((Costco Questions); (An assortment of Costco facts (Part 1 of 2)); (How Costco Gets Members to Spend More); (Costco Surprises)).
6. Electricity mode
The first few nights of Passover are Yom Tov, thus making the use of electricity forbidden. Therefore, the automatic entry to the store, and the lights on the ovens and refrigerators would be problematic.
7. Not Jerusalem since no Costco there yet
At the end of the Seders for those in the diaspora, we say “Next year in Jerusalem”. There is not a Costco in Jerusalem (or Israel at all), so those committed to Costco Seders, would not be able to hold them in Jerusalem. On a more serious note, given the importance of Jerusalem to the Jewish people, I imagine that most would give a lot to be able to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem.
What do you think? Does Costco sound like a good place for Passover Seders? Any other pros and cons you can think of?
Cruising Costco 