Welcome to Tampa, Monica!!!

19 Year IKEA Veteran to Lead Ybor City-Area Store Opening Summer 2009 as 3rd in Florida

IKEA, the world's leading home furnishings retailer, today announced the appointment of Monica Varela as store manager for its future store on track to open Summer 2009 in Tampa, FL.

"Monica's retail store experience with IKEA, as well as her product life-cycle management expertise, has prepared her for managing this store in Tampa."

"IKEA recognizes the strong customer base for us in the Tampa Bay area, so I am pleased about providing these 100,000 customers with a store of their own," Varela said. "Also, I look forward to introducing new customers to our unique family-friendly shopping experience and wide selection of stylish, functional and affordable home furnishings."

Varela, who relocated to the Tampa area from South Florida, started at IKEA after working at several department store chains. A native of Havana who grew up in Barcelona and Philadelphia, Varela joined IKEA in 1989 as U.S. sales manager responsible for textiles. In 1997, she moved to France to be a commercial/supply manager within the IKEA Distribution Services team. Two years later, Varela joined IKEA Spain as the country sales leader, and then as assistant store manger for sales at a Madrid-area IKEA store. In 2004, Varela returned to the U.S. as assistant store manager for sales at IKEA Elizabeth (NJ) near New York City. Three years later, Varela was named deputy store manager at IKEA Sunrise (FL) where she served until now becoming store manager of IKEA Tampa.

Photo courtesy of the St. Pete Times.

TBO Article: Tampa Ikea May Begin Hiring In January, Store Says

Article and Photo Courtesy of TBO

By Michael Sasso, The Tampa Tribune

December 9, 2008

"Ikea, the mammoth furniture retailer known for Swedish designs and Swedish meatballs, may begin recruiting workers by January. 

An Ikea representative gave media tours today of the showroom under construction on Adamo Drive just south of Ybor City. The store will be the company's largest in Florida at 353,000 square feet, about 40,000 square feet larger than Ikea's Orlando store and 60,000 square feet larger than its Sunrise store, said Ikea U.S. public affairs director Joseph Roth. 

Recently, the company finished interviews with job candidates for roughly 50 open management positions at the store, most of which will be filled by local candidates. The company also has hired a store manager, 19-year Ikea veteran Monica Varela, who most recently helped open the company's new South Florida store. 

Ikea's Tampa store will employ about 400 people, and the company expects to begin recruiting for nonmanagement positions in January. Roth would not reveal the company's pay scale. 

Construction is on schedule for the store to open in the summer, although the company doesn't have a date." 

10/28/08 IKEA Tampa Press Release

ICONIC BLUE EXTERIOR TRANSFORMS FUTURE Tampa bay ikea STORE

 

Blue Walls Now Visible on Swedish Retailer’s Tampa Store Opening Summer 2009

 

TAMPA, FL – IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today noted that exterior painting essentially is complete for its store opening next spring in the Ybor City-area of Tampa .  This iconic blue painting represents another milestone in the build-up of the future store, and ensures IKEA Tampa will reflect the unique blue and yellow architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide. 

 

“With our walls mostly painted, we continue to advance other exterior and interior work as part of the build-up effort,” said Michael Maier, IKEA real estate manager.  “We are turning the physical structure into what our many Tampa Bay customers have come to appreciate as an IKEA store.  We know they are anxious for us to open.”

TBO Article: "Some Assembly Required"

"If you happen to pass the construction site for the Ikea store going up at Adamo Drive and 22nd Street in Tampa, you might think the project is on a fast track. Since clearing the land in April, construction crews have erected the walls, and within the next several weeks, steel framing to support the roof should be in place, said Joseph Roth, a spokesman for the furniture and housewares chain. Roth said the company is moving at a steady pace to meet the construction timeline. The 350,000-square-foot store is expected to open as planned in the summer."

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2008

The Walls are Up! Part 2

Top Photo: The West Wall

Bottom Photo: The East Wall

The Walls are Up!

This just in...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2008

CONSTRUCTION OF IKEA TAMPA ADVANCES WITH KEY WALLS NOW UP

 

Swedish Retailer’s 3^rd FL Store and 6^th in Southeast on Track to open Summer 2009

 

TAMPA, FL – IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today noted all major walls are upright and in place for its future store opening next summer in Tampa , FL.   The 353,000 square-foot IKEA Tampa, with 1,700 parking spaces, will be built on 29 acres along Adamo Drive at 22^nd Street and the Crosstown Expressway, and will reflect the same unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide. 

IKEA Sweepstakes and BIG News Alert for Tomorrow

IKEA wants to know more about you! Why? So they can send you personalized eNewsletters filled with the news, tips and offers you really want. Their recently redesigned member page makes it fun and easy to tell them a bit about how you live and work. And, you can request a 2009 catalog there, as well. Click here and either complete a new online registration or update your current registration by September 14 and you will be entered in the What's New With You Sweepstakes. You could win one of 90 $50 IKEA Gift Cards, or even one worth $500!

Also, make sure you pick up a copy of the St. Pete Times tomorrow, as the City Times section will be featuring yours truly, along with other IKEA lovers, and even a few people that are...well let's just say...still trying to find their way, bless their little hearts ;)

The New IKEA 2009 Catalog is Here!!!

How exciting!!! Go here to check it out! (And remember to take your IKEA 2008 catalogs to IKEA on your next visit, as they are recycling them.)

The Unofficial IKEA Tampa Poster has Arrived!

If you would like a larger version of this image, so that you can print your own IKEA Tampa poster at home, just send me an email. Enjoy!

The Secret IKEA Tampa Plans

OK, so they aren't really a secret...but we were able to catch a quick peek at the working blueprints for the new IKEA Tampa store, during the recent groundbreaking.

Displays at IKEA Tampa Groundbreaking

IKEA ordered the items pictured below from the IKEA Orlando store, and had them shipped to Tampa for the groundbreaking. After the groundbreaking, the items were donated to the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County.

IKEA Tampa Fan Blog "Featured" in Local Tampa Blog

IKEA Tampa Fan Blog is pleased to report that we have been featured (aka linked to :) in a blog about IKEA fanatics, written by Tampa's very own funny man, Clark Brooks. You can read the original blog here, and also read the posting on Sticks of Fire here. I am flattered that Mr. Brooks chose to link to this blog, and my hope is to convert Mr. IKEA Hater to a Swedish-meatball-lovin'-allen-wrench-using-flush-up-for-number-one-and-down-for-number-two IKEA groupie, even if it means several trips to IKEA Orlando dragging him kicking and screaming...

IKEA Groundbreaking Treats

Treats included Ballerina Cookies, Kex, Anna's Swedish Thins, Dalecarlia Chocolates, Daim, Swedish Fish, and Gille Cookies.

IKEA Tampa Groundbreaking Posters

These posters were on display at the groundbreaking...

IKEA Tampa Groundbreaking Souvenir

Here is a picture of the very cool IKEA Tampa Groundbreaking souvenirs that we each received. I know that I will personally be buying a STRIND side table to permanently display mine on.

Groundbreaking Photo

From left to right: Councilman John Dingfelder, District 4, Michael Maier, IKEA Eastern Real Estate Manager, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, Councilman and Chairman Thomas Scott, District 5, Joseph Roth, IKEA Director of Public Affairs, North America, Charlie Miranda, District 6, Unknown and B-G Holmberg, Honorary Swedish Consul of Florida. 

With Movement of Shovels, IKEA Inches Closer

There were only three of us who attended the groundbreaking yesterday that were obviously not part of the media, city or county government or sent to represent our place of employment. The St. Pete Times reporter, Emily Nipps, sought us out as she wanted to write about the excitement that is brewing around the new IKEA Tampa store. I was busy taking a million pictures and Charlene was saving our second row seats, so Claire took it for the team and gave Emily a great interview which you can read here.

 

June 4, 2008 Groundbreaking Day

Hej IKEA Tampa groupies! I am pleased to announce that as of today, Tampa now has its own official, unofficial place for all things IKEA Tampa. I was thrilled to be able to attend the groundbreaking today and will be posting the photos and more details from the big event very soon. In the meantime, enjoy this short video excerpt from today's event...