By Skye McEowen, The Columbus Dispatch, and staff reports
COLUMBUS – Businesses, residents, law enforcement and transportation officials were bracing for an event of cataclysmic proportions as central Ohio awaited the opening of the world’s newest IKEA store.
It would be the 397th opening in the 84-year history of the Swedish company but the only the second in Ohio.
Customers began lining up outside of the store near Polaris as early as 9:00 a.m. Monday morning, just after the recent passing of a downpour. The heat returned with the lingering humidity, and by 9:40 a.m. seven customers sat under the roof of the building, all with a variety of supplies. By 4 p.m., that number had doubled to 14.
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Staffers set up a coffee station and fresh cinnamon rolls for the morning, and speakers pumping out music added to the atmosphere.
Over the next two days, IKEA will offer snacks, refreshments, pieces of IKEA merchandising and trivia games in additional giveaways. Once customers settle into their spots in line, they will be given armbands and can take 10-minute breaks. They also will be able to use bathrooms and charging stations and have access to water for drinking.
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Felicia Andes, 45, sat perched on a pillow and blanket, cheerful and first in line.
“I just decided last week I that would go ahead and camp out for it, and obviously the couch is a good prize, so I’m excited about that,” the Springboro resident said. “But also want to get my daughter a bed as well and a few other things.”
On Wednesday, the first 44 customers in line will receive a free EKTORP couch, marking the chain’s 44th U.S. store. The next 100 will get a POANG armchair and more giveaways were planned throughout the week:
The first 100 children (under 18) on Wednesday will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped soft toy.
The first 2,500 adults receive a random prize envelope with IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250, or a “Buy One, Get One Free” cinnamon bun, hotdog or soft-serve frozen yogurt voucher.
The first 100 adults bringing proof their birthday is the same as the store’s (June 7) will receive a gift card in the amount of $44.
Visitors to the store through June 11 may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards. IKEA is matching the prizes (a total of $10,000) with a donation of home furnishings to The Homeless Families Foundation, a local organization that provides housing assistance and educational services to homeless families living in Columbus.
It pays to arrive early as the first 44 adults on Thursday receive a free queen-sized HAUGESUND mattress and the next 100 will receive a free ALINA “sleep set” of bedspread and cushion covers and two FJADRAR pillows.
The giveaways continue for early-arriving adults and kids until Sunday, including a cookware set and Swedish meals from the store’s Swedish Food Market.
Balloon artists, entertainment and face-painting will remain on hand all week enhance the experience.
The retailer promotes itself IKEA Columbus is a fun day out for the family with a supervised children’s play area that replicates the look of a typical Swedish farmhouse and forest and a restaurant that opens 30 minutes before the store and features breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and dessert, including the popular IKEA Swedish meatballs.
IKEA Columbus features free design appointments with a furnishings consultant, catalogs, measuring tape, pencils and store maps.