I have waited for this all my year! On Wednesday, Ikea Columbus opened just 31 miles away from my home. Gone are the days of 2.5 hour trips to Cincinnati or 4 hour trips to Pittsburgh. I have an Ikea I can call my own! Now, for all of you have one just minutes from your house, let me have my moment. Things seem more special (like chocolate) when you only experience every so often.
On Monday, folks could begin camping out for the Wednesday opening; and they did. The first 44 customers received a free sofa. 44 was the theme as this is the 44th store in America. We are the 15th largest city in the U.S. and it took this long. No, I’m not bitter at all. I LOVE Ikea and have written posts about it here and here.
My Ikea Journey
I begin to clap like a giddy school girl when I see this sign.
Me at a red light in front of Ikea. Almost there!!
My son protested taking this picture, embarrassed. After threatening we would not go to the Nike outlet, he complied. He was supposed to get the word IKEA in the shot as I wanted to be pointing at it.
In celebration of this blessed event, a DJ was hired for all day music. He was awesome!
There was a magician to keep the boys happy while we wait for our special Ikea meal
You can’t go to Ikea & not eat meatballs! My son tried it for the first time with the jam and LOVED it!
This is me riding off into the sunset from Ikea. Or at least in my friend’s neighborhood….
The opening was a well oiled machine. Ikea nailed it and this is what all openings and Black Fridays should look like. They had an employee in every parking lane to either direct parking or ask questions. There were around 8 employees in the restaurant who’s only job was to direct the lines so they stayed even, or answer questions.
The only complaint I had and not Ikea’s fault was the women’s bathroom. The first 2 stalls I selected had unflushed toilets with a ridiculous amounts of toilet paper in them. Were they clogged? I go into the handicap stall to find some knuckle-dragging barbarian had not only shit on the toilet seat, but failed to clean it up. Like it looked like someone’s ass had exploded and anyone normal, would have cleaned it up. I eventually selected a clean stall that was next to a woman talking on her cell phone while going. Peoples, don’t do this. It is so tacky.
We walked out only spending $79 between the 3 of us. I told the boys this was an exploring mission. I saw 500 things I wanted but restrained myself.
So Ikea, I salute you! Thank you for coming to Columbus! I will faithfully shop you often!
YES! IKEA is the BEST! Our closest is in Sacramento, around two hours away. I totally agree that it’s more special when you don’t get to go every weekend (although, Target is still pretty special and I go at least once a week ?).
Yes to Target too!! Do you have the red card hooked up to your checking account? Best thing I ever did! I save 5% on every purchase which doesn’t seem like a lot till you drop $400 on black Friday or other huge purchases!!
YES!! I get a high every time I see the total drop! Totally a win-win! I can’t believe it when I hear people say ‘no’ when they are asked. Fools!! ?
They are fools! They are literally leaving money on the table!
No kidding! I also love all of the tailor-made coupons sent to me! Love me some Target so much! Do you have a Starbucks inside one close to you? You can use the RedCard there!! ?
I do have a Starbucks in my local Targets. What I don’t get though are customized coupons. I must not shop there as much as you??? I don’t know.
I get them in the mail! I don’t know how they started! It was like magic!
Damn you! I’m jeal
Im jealous is what I meant to say.
LOL! Someday, your magical coupons will appear in the mail ?.
I still need to try Ikea meatballs!!!
OOOO I love Ikea!! I am actually super close to one. About a 30 minute bus ride…so like a 5 minute drive? It’s pretty awesome! But I’ve never been to it haha. Maybe after I move and can buy stuff for my room. Who knows.
What?? You’ve never been to one that is so close to you? I would live there if I could!
Lol well I would live there too if I had no limits on my money haha. And I knew I would be moving so that helped to keep my shopping in check
I’ve been to Ikea numerous times, I’ve yet to eat there.
OMG! Please try the Sweedish meatballs! They are AWESOME!!!
I’m a weirdo who doesn’t love IKEA 🙁 In theory, yes! But when you factor in all of the aimless wanderers that I have to dodge, the ninja staff members dressed as cupboards so I can’t see them, And the boring aisles of boxes, I’m out. I usually just give money to people I know who like it to get whatever for me the next time they go!
Ah man, I’m sorry you don’t love Ikea but alas…there are many like you! It’s kind of like how EVERYONE here in the states loves Kohls. I can’t stand Kohls.
I’d like to think I’m passing on possible adventures to my mom and sister ? my most successful trips are when the store first opens on Saturday morning! No one wants to show up for 8am except for this weirdo ?
Oh I’m all about going early to avoid crowds!
hehehe I think your son and my wife would get along great. Both have to be compelled to join in the blogging festivities and still find passive-agressive ways to share their displeasure 😉
Lol! Hilarious! Well, P didn’t know it was for my blog. Given the content, I’ve threatened his life if he reads it. I told him that thanks to google analytics, I’ll know if he read it. ???
Hehehe I have never seen so much love for Ikea!
We just moved so I need to visit Ikea again…I’ve only been twice, but I was a little saddened by those meatballs. They’re okay, but sooooo many people had told me they are amazing that I was expecting some truly impressive meatballs. They were a bit disappointing after all that hype. 🙁
Tears for the meatballs! LOL! Maybe I love them so much bc my mom never cooked? IDK. Yes, please visit again and let me know what you think!
I think I’d like them if I was expecting some good value, cheap-as-chips balls of meat that are served with jam. The only problem was the build up. Lots of my friends and family just REALLY love those balls!
LOL!!!!
I’ve never been to IKEA and as of now, I’m not a fan. My roommate back in college furnished our common areas with IKEA furniture and at the end of our 9 month lease, the coffee tables were cracked and the plates were all chipped. From quality alone, I’m just not into it. But maybe my tune would change if I ever wound up in a store. Fella and I just bought a house, so maybe we should find our nearest one and take a trip…
See, I don’t know what people do to the furniture. My husband and I have had Ikea armoires now since 2003 and they are still perfect. The end tables have been around for about 5 years and I have countless other items….that have withstood children even! Please try Ikea for yourself!
Because of your glowing testimony, I guess I can give it a try.
Just looked up the closest one… 3 hour drive. Probably not going any time soon.
Bless you! You know your gonna have to blog about your experience!
I live literally 3 miles from Ikea. I like the froyo and my son likes the hot dogs….