Wholesale grocers/clubs

[gruelurks]

I've heard good things about the prices at Restaurant Depot along with the quality of the products they offer. Unfortunately it is closed to the public, leaving me to deal with the clubs like Sam's and Costco, neither of which I have a membership to any longer.

Does anyone here have a Restaurant Depot membership, and if so, is it worth it to pursue an avenue of becoming a licensed food retailer/restaurant/caterer to take advantage of their prices? I don't intend actually open a restaurant or cater anytime soon (yet!), just get it on paper to get a membership so I can get some deals when I do large cookouts and stuff for home and work.

Or would it be less hassle to just go back to Costco/Sam's and get another membership?

 

[chefrob]

do you have a "Smart & Final"? no membership needed.

 

[eaglewing]

YES, I do and the prices there are unreal in many cases...

All I needed to show was a state tax ID number for a Non-for-profit Dog rescue Group my wife and I run. We throw picnics and dog reunions and buy supplies there for those events. I also own 2 construction Co.s that I could have used to get in...

The MEMBERSHIP is worth what ever pain you have to take as long as you have one CLOSE to you.... I live within 4 miles of the STL one.

I now own 1000ft of Butcher paper with a holder/cutter I got for only $50. The price on meat beats all of Sams. The Produce is pretty dam incredible, I don't even feel guilty letting some of it spoil. They have bags of what looked to be 100 Jalapenos for the same price you would buy 10-15 in any grocer. Talk about ABT city!!!!

 

[gruelurks]

Not that I can see by their site. I live in SE Michigan. We have Gordon Food Service (free), Costco and Sam's all around. There are some wholesale places down in Detroit but that's more than I want to drive from the outer suburbs.

 

[mballi3011]

We have a restuarant depot in our town and I have been wondering what it would take to get into the place for a while. Eagle you say I could get in with my construction bussiness also? that would be good I would like to atleast see what they have and save some money if possible. Thanks Grue.

 

[bigsteve]

If you're not really reselling it, make sure you pay any applicable sales or use tax. If they get audited, your state may call on you too.

In my state if I buy things tax exempt, but use them for personal use I have to pay use tax. If I don't, I could get a HEFTY fine.

 

[gruelurks]

I must have missed this reply last night. I was thinking of filing an application to form an LLC here in MI. as a software consulting company anyways, and it sounds like that could be my ticket to get in.

 

[chisoxjim]

I have herad Restaurant Depot is decent. When I get my tax id number I may get a membership just for those big parties I have and need to buy pork in bulk. I also have heard the meat quality is comprable to Costco, etc, so it would work for large purchases for me.

However I can get better, fresher pork from a local butcher when I just need a butt or two, or a few slabs of ribs for a regular weekend smoke.