Are Madison-Area Shoppers Going to Shun Oak Creek IKEA for Illinois?

OAK CREEK — Milwaukee Metro shoppers have reacted favorably to the news that IKEA will be coming to their area in 2018, but it turns out you just can't please everybody.

According to a report by Madison.com, folks in the Madison and nearby Janesville area are contemplating whether they would be happier driving to Oak Creek or still making the trip to the Schaumberg Illinois store.

Here's part of the Madison.com article, in which they're pondering where to shop in the future:

According to Mapquest, from the state Capitol, the 123-mile trip to the IKEA in Schaumburg takes 2 hours and 14 minutes. The 84 miles to the Oak Creek store near Interstate 94 and West Drexel Avenue can be covered in 1 hour and 42 minutes. But shoppers from Janesville will save just one mile and one minute if they choose Oak Creek over Schaumburg.

What the Madison.com did not mention in the article was how sales tax factors in. Data from Sales Tax.com suggests if you make the trip to Illinois, you're going to be paying a little more. Factor in gas mileage from certain locations and you could be paying more to shop in the Land of Lincoln.

Sales Tax Rates:

Oak Creek 5.5%

Schaumberg 10%

IKEA Clears first hurdle in Oak Creek

Many shoppers are excited over the recent announcement that IKEA is planning to open Wisconsin's first store in Oak Creek. But before that can happen, the popular Swedish furniture store needs to clear several legal hurdles with local Oak Creek public officials.

The Milwaukee Business Journal is reporting that one of the first major hurdles was cleared on Tuesday when the Plan Commission approved a zoning classification written in response to some of Ikea’s needs, and voted to rezone the land where the Ikea would be built.

The new zoning also allows bigger signs, accommodating Ikea’s desire to be visible from I-94.

Read more details from the Milwaukee Business Journal here.

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