IKEA Charlotte is Now Open... Tampa is Next in Line!!

It's official! The next IKEA to open in the US is IKEA Tampa! Yesterday, the IKEA Charlotte staff welcomed hundreds of really happy shoppers to the newest IKEA store, despite the cold temps and lots of rain...

To hear details from the day, please check out Ms. Eva's IKEA Charlotte opening day post "What a Day!" and her Positive Fanatics guest blog entry "Coming to You from the Charlotte Grand Opening".

You should also check out Charlotte's Creative Loafing article "Charlotte's stimulus plan is yellow and blue". Lots of fun opening day photos to browse.

Photo courtesy of Positive Fanatics

IKEA Charlotte Opens Tomorrow!! Happy Campers!!

There are only two US IKEA stores opening in 2009...Tampa and Charlotte. The IKEA Charlotte store will open at 9am on Wed., Feb. 18, 2009. Campers braved the 20 degree weather yesterday as they began lining up at 9am, 48 hours before the new store will open its doors.

What We Have To Look Forward To...

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb 11, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- IKEA, the world's leading home furnishings retailer, today announced that when its Charlotte store opens on February 18, it will recognize loyal, enthusiastic customers by giving away thousands of dollars in gift cards and merchandise - including an iconic Scandinavian armchair for each of the first 100 adults in line. (Customers may begin lining up at 9 a.m. EST on Monday, February 16 in advance of the doors opening at 9 a.m. EST on Wednesday, February 18, 2009.) Additionally, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory will join IKEA U.S. president Mike Ward, and IKEA Charlotte store manager Richard Castanon in the official opening ceremony that will inaugurate the new store.

The February 18 ceremony also will include Charlotte District 4 Councilmember Michael Barnes raising the U.S. flag, Honorary Swedish Consul for the Carolinas Magnus Natt och Dag raising the Swedish flag and Mecklenburg County District 3 Commissioner George Dunlap raising the North Carolina flag. Entertainment for customers waiting in line will begin at 6 a.m. EST. "Just as our store will bring the unique IKEA family-friendly shopping experience to the greater Charlotte area and throughout the Carolinas, we are thrilled to offer promotions to ensure that waiting in line to visit IKEA Charlotte will be an exciting and memorable event," said Richard Castanon, IKEA Charlotte store manager.

Visitors to the store will have many opportunities to benefit from IKEA Charlotte's grand opening.

-- Take a Seat (And We Mean Take It!) - The first 100 adults (18 and over) in line at the IKEA Charlotte grand opening on February 18, 2009 will receive a free POANG armchair.

-- Pick a Card, Any Card - The first 2,500 people to visit IKEA Charlotte on February 18, 2009 will 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 frozen yogurt voucher.

-- You Say It's Your Birthday - Visitors who bring proof to IKEA Charlotte on February 18 that it is their birthday will receive a $10 gift card.

-- For the (Truly) Young at Heart - The first 100 children (under 18) in line at IKEA Charlotte's grand opening on February 18, 2009 will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped cushion.

-- Enter to Win When Entering our Home - From February 18 through February 22, 2009, visitors to IKEA Charlotte may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards. IKEA will match the prizes (a total of $10,000) with a donation of home furnishings to 'Classroom Central,' a local provider of school supplies to teachers of underprivileged children.

-- Play Big and Eat Big (If You're Little!) - Entertainment for kids such as balloon artists and face-painting will take place at IKEA Charlotte from February 18 through February 22. Kids also can enjoy a macaroni-and-cheese meal with a fountain drink for 99c.