Pics From the Charlotte Grand Opening
February 18th, 2009
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Posts Tagged ‘IKEA Charlotte’
Part II of The Charlotte Grand Opening
February 18th, 2009
Ms. Eva reporting in from the safe and warm comforts of home.
The grand opening of Ikeas 36th store in the US went without a glitch (well sorta . . . if you count the horrific weather prompting Mr. Castanon to open the store 15 minutes early or the fact that they had to call a Mulligan on the log sawing).
The lines were long but it was a very positive atmosphere despite the cold rain. I was roughly the 140th (give or take a few) person in line & from my viewpoint the Ikea staff worked really hard to keep everyone as comfortable and as welcome as they could – nothing but bright shining faces against the harsh elements. They passed out doughnuts, apple juice (there was a rumor of coffee but I saw none), keychains, beach balls, little squishy chairs and frisbees. Yes I scored them all. They also gave out yellow rain ponchos . . . those were a godsend!
The Charlotte Children’s Choir sounded amazing, I actually got a little choked up hearing them sing our National Anthem and America the Beautiful. Kudos to them and their director. My favorite moment during the ceremony itself was when the Mayor of Charlotte told the folks that had been waiting in line since Monday that they were “crazy.”
Yes, we were all were crazy . . . it was freezing! Snow would have been more comfortable to stand in, you can at least brush snow off. The rain permeated through our already cold bodies. But like I said, it was a dedicated group of shoppers. A handful of folks bailed out when they realized that they were not going to get the free Poang chair (apparently they didn’t do their homework). But for the most part I can safely say the staff of Ikea did their best given the circumstances.
Pictures to come later . . . as soon as I recharge my phone & defrost my feet!
Coming to you from the Charlotte Grand Opening
February 18th, 2009
Ms. Eva reporting in!
I’ll make this brief since it’s very hard to type with gloves on and my laptop battery can only last for so long.
I made my arrival at 3:30 this morning & my current position is on the far corner of the building.
Basically folks . . . it’s C-O-L-D outside! Lugging my stuff to the coveted “end of the line” I developed a major asthma attack and the INCREDIBLY AWESOME COUPLE next to me in line found me an outlet for my nebulizer and looked after me until I was feeling better.
Just as I was feeling human again . . . it started to rain!
I’m in my pop-up tent waiting it out.
That’s about it for now.
The place looks like a Swedish refugee camp . . . folks huddled in sleeping bags . . . little tent cities.
It makes me realize what little survival skills I do have.
I may never do this again . . . unless it’s summer . . . and they’re opening in Myrtle Beach . . .
THEN I would consider it!
IKEA Charlotte Press Preview
February 14th, 2009
I could not believe my good fortune when I was able to snag an invite to the Press Preview of the new IKEA store in Charlotte North Carolina. On Wednesday, February 11th, exactly one week before the official opening, I joined dozens of others for lunch and a tour.
I was told that we’d have some treats to sample, but I was pleasantly surprised at the expansive selection of food they had for us: salmon, caviar, herring, cheeses, fruit, pastries, ham, potatoes, fruit, and a nice array of desserts. I even had my first lingonberry juice – it was great!
We were divided into groups: I was in BUMERANG (as in the wooden hangers that IKEA later told us went down in price from $8.95/pack to now selling for $3.95/pack!)
As we toured the model rooms, I recognized most of the items from visiting other stores, the website, or the catalog. Nothing really jumped out at me as particularly unique, however I noticed that for others who were less familiar with IKEA, they “oohed” and “ahhed” at every turn.
The kitchen department at IKEA is my favorite. When we moved into our house five years ago, I knew we were going to have to redo the kitchen. It is “vintage” 1960s — and not in a good way. I have been living with an ugly, dysfunctional kitchen in the hopes that eventually we will be able to gut the whole thing and remodel it with all IKEA stuff. I just can’t imagine having any other kitchen! So I’ll keep putting up with the one I have until I can get the one I want. Pictured here is one of the kitchens at the IKEA Charlotte store that I really liked.
As I went through the tour I was trying to make mental notes of what I want to be sure to get when I come back on Opening Day. I have been writing and rewriting my shopping list for weeks. Of course, I have to remind myself that unlike before when I had to travel 4-6 hours to IKEA and load up on everything I could fit into the van, now I will have an IKEA only 35 minutes away. My new problem will be wanting to go every day! This is really an unfortunate time for me to be living on a smaller budget. But that’s what makes IKEA so awesome — you can get a lot of gorgeous and fun items for your home, and not ruin your budget.
Here is one of their showrooms that really inspired me. I have always loved that green color, and recently am using a lot of browns in my decorating. I also like how the IKEA designers work within color schemes so we can mix and match our purchases to create a personal, but pulled-together look.
As we headed down to the marketplace, I was reminded how much more there was to see! I always love walking through the lighting department. I think we have an IKEA light fixture in every room of our home.
After the tour, we were given a pack of fresh cinnamon rolls, a set of VARMELJUSHALLARE candles, a media kit on a flash drive, and several fliers to share with friends. And it all came in an IKEA small blue bag.
Overall, I was impressed, but not surprised, with the great job that the Charlotte store did. They extended a warm welcome to the press and showed us exactly why the IKEA concept is so inspiring.
Becky Knight
Fan page on Facebook: Queen City IKEA
Follow me on Twitter: @IKEA_Devotee
Queen City IKEA Facebook Group – Coffee Break!
February 9th, 2009
If you’re on Facebook, check out the Queen City IKEA Facebook page, and then join them for coffee at 10:30 on Opening Day! That would be February 18th, at the new IKEA Charlotte! If you’re in the door, that is. o.O. Jealous.
IKEA Charlotte Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Took a Wrong Turn
February 3rd, 2009
Click to go to wsoctv.com to watch video
On Monday, IKEA Charlotte held yet another ceremony leading to the Grand Opening of IKEA Charlotte, the first IKEA in the Carolinas. This ceremony was to open the temporary entrance to IKEA which would allow drivers to turn right from University City Boulevard to North Tyron Street. An actual intersection will be built in the future during phase two of the traffic reengineering.
Unfortunately, noone told the tractor trailer driver that the road wasn’t open quite yet before he smashed through the ribbon. Noone was hurt.
I wonder…did they actually CUT the ribbon after that? Or did they pack up their scissors and go home?
IKEA Charlotte Guest Bloggers – Welcome!
February 2nd, 2009
IKEA Charlotte Virtual Tour (follow to print entry form for $1000 shopping spree!)
IKEA Charlotte Grand Opening is in literally DAYS, 15 days, to be exact – and we have guest bloggers lined up to bring us the news from the front lines! We’ll have coverage of IKEA’s Friends and Family Event on the 14th and coverage from the line on opening day!
Becky Shankle, aka ecomod at IKEAFANS.com and @ecomod on Twitter, of eco-modernism has secured an invite to the Friends and Family event on the 14th (talk about IKEA LOVE!) and has promised to report back on all she sees and hears. Becky is owner of Eco-Modernism, based in Raleigh, NC, a company which has been providing IKEA furniture love in the form of IKEA furniture delivery to the Raleigh Durham area since early 2008. Becky’s been blogging about her adventures with designing, assembling and installing IKEA kitchens, bathrooms and other rooms since August of 2007.
Ms. Eva comes to us from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She’s been anticipating the opening of IKEA Charlotte since the original announcement on January 17th, 2007. Her blog, ikeacarolina.blogspot.com, chronicles her excitement and enthusiam. Ms. Eva plans to be in line on Opening Day and will be sending us updates via her new Blackberry on the events, prizes and crowd. Here’s hoping for good weather!
Welcome Becky and Eva to the PositiveFanatics team!
IKEA Charlotte boasts 49 rooms and 17 kitchens
January 19th, 2009
Holy Akurum, Batman! That’s a lot of kitchens! According to the Triangle Business Journal,
Swedish home-furnishings giant Ikeais putting the final touches on its first North Carolina store, which is scheduled to open next month in Charlotte.
The 356,000-square-foot store will be one of the chain’s largest. It will feature three model homes and 49 room vignettes, including 17 kitchens. Shoppers will be able to buy more than 10,000 exclusively designed products — from furniture to art, tableware and even food.
I do wish IKEA would stop selling themselves as a full-service setup though:
Ikea now offers on-site designers to help shoppers create complete rooms, take measurements and recommend contractors to assemble the furniture. The store also can arrange home delivery.
Though IKEA has many supporting businesses that will help with design, ordering, delivery, assembly and installation, anyone who’s been there knows that IKEA itself is not about the service aspect. IKEA is all about the low prices. It’s about doing something for yourself. And that’s ok by me – that’s the deal I have with Ingvar. 
If you’re not confident about doing it yourself, seek help – North Carolina is home to Eco-Modernism (See post: IKEA Runs: Need your IKEA Fix? Hire a local delivery service), a few new startups, and Custom Assembly and Install out of Atlanta is contracted with IKEA as a Certified Installer.
You can get in line for the IKEA Charlotte Grand Opening starting at 9am on Monday, February 16th, 2009 in advance of the Wednesday, February 18th Grand Opening Event. And while we’re on the subject, PositiveFanatics.com is seeking Guest Bloggers to document the experience of the Charlotte IKEA Grand Opening. Need your 15 minutes in the sun? Contact us!
[Via Triangle Business Journal]
IKEA Charlotte – Inside the Store
January 8th, 2009
Richard Castanon - IKEA Charlotte Store Manager
IKEA Charlotte is opening in just over a month – February 18th is the magical date! Check out the IKEA Charlotte Readying to Open slideshow on CharlotteObserver.com.
Have you been able to get any photos of the new IKEA in Charlotte, NC? We’d love to get your pictures!
[Photo via CharlotteObserver.com]
IKEA Charlotte Opening Day Set
December 10th, 2008
IKEA Charlotte will stage its Grand Opening on Wednesday, February 18, 2009. We’ll be posting about the construction of the new store, developments, and more as the date nears. Get ready North Carolina! IKEA USA is bringing you IKEA Charlotte! Read more…
IKEA Store Openings
