Costco store’s concession for Amish customers leaves people divided

The internet is divided over a Costco store’s concession for Amish customers in Pennsylvania. 

A store in Lancaster county provides an area in its parking lot where shoppers can leave their horse and buggy – the traditional Amish form of transport. 

Given that Lancaster has the oldest and largest Amish community in what is known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, many customers are unsurprised to see the slightly unusual parking spots. 

But other social media users claim they are ‘irritated’ by the feature.

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The horse and buggy parking spots are spaced out and include covered stalls for the animals to wait.

They also come with a shovel and hose should owners need to clear up any mess while there. 

Costco in Lancaster has proven popular amongst the Amish, who typically make a living from farming and building, due to its discount prices, according to writer David Schwartz.

‘They have large families, and they’re looking for ways to save money, and they’re looking for quality goods,’ Schwartz told Business Insider. 

‘Costco provides a very convenient way for buying large quantities for large Amish families.’

Traditional Amish members are not allowed to drive cars and opt to use carriages or walk instead. 

So while horse and buggy parking spots are a special feature at the Lancaster Costco, many other retailers in the area such as Target, Lowe’s, banks, and small grocery stores also provide them.

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But some Reddit users have taken to the internet to complain about the parking spots.

‘I go to the same Costco. I get so irritated that they have prime parking. Why isn’t their parking on the lower lot so we don’t have to see and smell s***?’ one Reddit user wrote last March. 

Other Reddit users have called the Costco location’s parking ‘horrific.’ 

But some commenters have snapped back at those who left negative comments. 

‘It’s totally normal for any place that has amish or any other community that has buggies,’ a Reddit user said in a post last year. 

Another added: ‘If a store has customers who use horse-drawn carriages, it’s only natural that they should make room for them if they come often enough.’