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IKEA is Not for Wimps

Yesterday was the grand opening of the new IKEA store in my area. Of course, as you may recall, Wednesdays are for quilting. However, the Hungry Quilters decided that an opportunity to visit the true “happiest place on earth” on it’s opening day could not be missed. So, we all piled into the Suburban and headed out.

I was anticipating huge traffic jams and overflowing parking lots. I was sure we would be turned away before we could even get close enough to see the blue and yellow IKEA glow. I figured we’d be sipping martinis in a local restaurant and not shopping. I was so wrong.
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The traffic, while congested, flowed along. There were parking attendants with light sticks all over the place, showing me the way and they even found me a parking spot big enough for the Suburban. About 20 feet from the entrance. I kid you not. The courtesy and professionalism of the people organizing this shindig was a refreshing change from some other grand openings I’ve attended.

Have you even been to an IKEA? This place is huge. Huge like an amusement park. Two stories – one for the showroom and one for the marketplace. The showroom includes everything from furniture and storage solutions to refrigerators and stoves. They have dishes and lamps and sheets and fabric(!) and food (Swedish meatballs!) and candles and baskets and toys and curtains and beds. They have a round bed. Blogless Sharon and Lois and I just couldn’t resist the round bed. Hey, it had been a long day and we needed a rest.
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The funniest part of the night was when I was looking at some portable closets. They were pretty fancy with drawers and baskets and sliding doors. There was even a gliding pants rack that pulled out. Sharon took one look at it and declared it perfect for yarn and roving storage and noted how the pants rack would be ideal for drying skeins of handspun yarn. I nearly busted a gut over that one. But, dude. She was right.

It was definitely sensory overload. However, I managed to rise to the occasion and get a little shopping done. See? Here’s the wagon.
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Now, in my defense, that’s also the haul from Blogless Sharon and Lois. But, yeah, most of it is mine. As Debbie and Wendy said when they were bagging my items, when Carole shops, boy, she really shops. Hee.

Wait’ll you see what arrived yesterday from Halycon.

This Post Has 15 Comments

  1. Ohh, I love IKEA. There isn’t one near me, so I don’t get to go very often.

    It looks like you had a great time.

  2. Lucky you — I can’t wait for a trip down there. And funny about that portable closet! I didn’t realize that Ikea sells food. Fun, fun!

  3. I loves the Ikea! We’ve had one on Long Island for about… uh… 20 years. 20 YEARS?!?!?!?!? OH. MY. GOD!!!

    Anyway, it’s only about 20-25 minutes from the house and I’ve been going there for years. (Although I can’t believe it’s 20 years!) I’ve got one of their Billy bookcases and I love it! Enjoy your new Ikea!

  4. An IKEA!?!?! You suck. 😛 I’ve wanted to go to an IKEA for…let’s see…pretty much my lifetime. However, there are none in my area – I drove past one with Roger on the way to Virginia last year and he promised that we would stop at that one on the way home (since it was 2am at the time) however, HE WENT HOME A DIFFERENT WAY. He is SO mean. *sniffle*

  5. It’s absolutely criminal, but there’s no Ikea anywhere near me. I’d have to drive several hundred miles to get to one. Sigh.

  6. Oh, I love IKEA. I made a special trip to the one in Schaumburg, IL when we were visiting family this summer … and then had to pay to ship most of it home, as the van had been stuffed to the gills BEFORE I shopped.

    I may head down there next week. I need bins.

  7. Lucky you! I’ve always wanted to go to an IKEA, and the closest one is in New Haven, CT. Too far for a trip like that right now.

    So, when do we get to see the Halcyon stash?

  8. I love IKEA. I have to admit, I’m very lucky to live within 20 miles of not one, but two of their stores. The Paramus store is less than 5 minutes from home, while the Elizabeth store is in an economic recovery zone and charges half the state sales tax rate!

    Hmmm, that cabinet might be just what I need for the twins room what with their newfound desire to empty the chest of drawers onto the floor!

  9. Reminds me of when Ikea first opened in our neighborhood. It was pandemonium! And a lot of fun, too.

    When we were over in Germany earlier this year I insisted on stopping by the Ikea there! It was. Really. Clean.

  10. Certainly need to go there soon! I was avoiding the place until after the fuss died down, but maybe it’s not so bad. Anyone want to go again?

  11. I’ve never been to an Ikea and look forward to visiting the one you travelled to! (looks like quite a haul of lots of great things…) I’m excited to see what you got from Haylcon; getting there in person at some point is on my list of things to do…

  12. Yup. Gotta love IKEA! DH & I used to LIVE there when we first got married. Still have a leather couch from 11 years ago. Great stuff. Great store!

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